Taiwan reported 45 Chinese warplanes in its airspace within 24 hours, according to its defense ministry on Wednesday.
The record number of Chinese daily sorties this year comes ahead of President-elect Lai Ching-te’s inauguration on May 20.
The ministry said that “26 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait,” referring to a line bisecting the 180-kilometer (110-mile) waterway separating Taiwan and China. Beijing does not recognize this unofficial boundary.
Six Chinese Navy vessels were also detected, according to the statement.
Taipei emphasized it was monitoring the situation closely and urged Beijing to exercise self-restraint.
“Since late April they have become more and more provocative,” the senior Taiwanese security official said.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Taiwan reported 45 Chinese warplanes in its airspace within 24 hours, according to its defense ministry on Wednesday.
The record number of Chinese daily sorties this year comes ahead of President-elect Lai Ching-te’s inauguration on May 20.
Taipei emphasized it was monitoring the situation closely and urged Beijing to exercise self-restraint.
China has intensified its military presence near Taiwan, simulating mock attack drills on foreign vessels as Taipei prepares to inaugurate its new president, Lai Ching-te, on May 20.
Lai, who won the January election, is seen by Beijing as a “dangerous separatist,” heightening tensions.
On Tuesday, Lai again extended an offer for talks with Beijing, pledging to maintain peace across the strait.
The original article contains 247 words, the summary contains 113 words. Saved 54%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!