The Ministry of National Defense yesterday reported the return of large-scale Chinese air force activities after their unexplained absence for more than two weeks, which had prompted speculation regarding Beijing’s motives.
China usually sends fighter jets, drones and other military aircraft around the nation on a daily basis.
Interruptions to such routine are generally caused by bad weather.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense
The Ministry of National Defense said it had detected 26 Chinese military aircraft in the Taiwan Strait over the previous 24 hours.
It last reported that many aircraft on Feb. 25, when it spotted 30 aircraft, saying Beijing was carrying out another “joint combat readiness patrol.”
From Feb. 27, Taiwan did not spot any Chinese military aircraft until March 7, when it said it saw two aircraft near Taiwan’s far southwest.
There have been only sporadic, small-scale incidents since then.
China has provided no explanation for its actions and did not respond to requests for a comment yesterday.
Officials and experts have said the disappearance of aircraft could be because Beijing is trying to recalibrate its pressure campaign ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China from March 31 or Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) ongoing purge of senior Chinese generals.
Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said that while the aircraft had left, there are still Chinese warships around the nation and the threat posed by Beijing remains.
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