Chinese fighter jets patrol near Taiwan after criticism from US Secretary of

Taipei: China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) 31 fighter jets and four destroyers carried out a dangerous patrol close to Taiwan’s border. Taiwan’s military, who was already alert, dispatched fighter jets and forced the Chinese planes to retreat. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s China visit has been scheduled for soon. Before that, Blinken had criticised China for preparing to change the status quo in Taiwan’s territory. China then seems to have warned the US by sending planes towards Taiwan.

According to the information provided by Taiwan’s Defence Ministry, the Chinese military had dispatched fighter jets and destroyers towards Taiwan at 6 am. Moreover, the Defence Ministry alleged that 12 fighter jets crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait. In the wake of international disputes between China and Taiwan, this median line designates as the air boundary. Besides, China is bound to respect the said airspace. Still, Chinese fighter jets crossed the median line several times earlier and challenged Taiwan’s air security.

Furthermore, China’s aggression has increased since the visit of the then-US speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan last year. After that, representatives from the United States, France and Japan visited Taiwan. Outraged over this, China has stepped up patrolling near Taiwan’s air and maritime limits. A few days ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered his military to be ready for anti-Taiwan operations.

Meanwhile, the increasing number of Coronavirus patients, unemployment, economic crisis and disrupted supply chain have increased the challenges facing Chinese President Xi Jinping. In such a situation, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has expressed concern that President Xi Jinping may invade Taiwan to gain the trust of the Chinese people. Besides, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister had claimed that the increasing infiltration of Chinese fighter jets and destroyers was the preparation before the real attack.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s successor, William Lai, also warns the world against China’s expansionist policies. Moreover, William Lai has urged the international community to adopt a tough stance against China. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has prioritised Taiwan’s security and appealed to the United States. But criticism of the Biden administration in the US neglecting to arm Taiwan has been gaining momentum. Furthermore, International analysts have warned that China will attack Taiwan because of this soft policy of the US.

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