Taiwan on Thursday reported Chinese fighter planes flying within the island’s air defense zone for the second consecutive day. Taiwan, considered a renegade province by China, has been complaining about Chinese military activity near the island for several years.
China defines military activities in the area as “justified” because it defends its “territorial integrity”. On Thursday, 17 J-10s, a type of fighter jet that first entered service 20 years ago, and four newer and more advanced J-16s flew inside Taiwan’s air defense zone, according to the ministry of Taiwan Defense. On Wednesday, nineteen Chinese warplanes flew into Taiwan’s air defense zone.
Meanwhile, a $619 million arms package has been approved in the United States to support Taiwan. These include missiles for Taiwan’s F-16 fighters and medium-range AMRAAM missiles, the Pentagon said. The weapons are supplied by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Tensions continue to rise
Arms sales will do little to help the already tense relationship between Washington and Beijing. China has repeatedly called on the United States to stop such arms sales. He sees the supplies as unwarranted support for self-government in Taiwan, an island that China claims as its territory. For this reason, China has already imposed sanctions against various American arms manufacturers.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
