Chinese jets fly over Taiwan strait after US delegation departs

Taiwan claimed Saturday that dozens of Chinese jets flew over the island just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Antony concluded his 3-day visit to China. 

It was reported that 22 military aircraft belonging to China were detected near the vicinity of Taiwan Island – with 12 of them flying beyond the presumed line dividing the areas of influence of the parties in the Taiwan Strait, which is considered to delineate the air and sea boundaries.

According to the statement, it was noted that 22 military aircraft were observed around the island.

The statement indicated that 12 of the 22 military aircraft flew in the area declared by Taiwan as the "Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)," beyond the "midline" in the Taiwan Strait.

The intensification of flights following the completion of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing on April 24-26 drew attention.

US declares military aid to Taiwan before Blinken's visit

The U.S. also drew China's ire this week by accepting a supplemental spending bill for Taiwan totaling $8 billion in military aid.

While Taiwan has a government advocating for independence, Beijing insisted on the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland and called on all countries to respect the "One China Policy."

Source: Newsroom