Military Exercises Are Over, But Nine Warships And 26 Chinese Fighter Planes Are Still Around Taiwan

Illustration of Chinese fighter jets. (Wikimedia Commons/)

JAKARTA - Chinese warplanes and naval vessels are still in waters around Taiwan, the island's defense ministry said on Tuesday, after the three-day end of Beijing's war games, when Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen criticized Beijing for its "unresponsible" behavior.

Although China said Monday evening the drills had ended, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said it had seen nine Chinese ships and 26 aircraft, including J-16 and Su-30 fighters, conducting combat readiness patrols around Tuesday morning.

Taiwan's air force, naval and coast-based missile crew monitored and responded carefully, he added.

The Taiwanese government has repeatedly criticized the exercise, but said it will not increase or provoke.

Meanwhile, writing on his Facebook page shortly before midnight on Monday, Tsai said that as president, "I represent my country to the world", and that his overseas visits, including stops in the United States, are nothing new and as the Taiwanese people expect.

"However, China is using this to launch military exercises, causing instability in Taiwan and the region. This is not a responsible attitude for major countries in the region," he said.

President Tsai said the armed forces and Taiwanese coast guard reacted calmly and professionally to China's exercises, and he thanked everyone involved.

"Although China's military exercises have ended, the national military and security teams will continue to defend in their positions and defend the country," he added.

China is known to have started training on Saturday, after President Tsai returned to Taipei after a meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.

Beijing simulates Taiwan's precision attacks and blockades during exercises, sending dozens of fighter jets and bombers.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said on Monday there were about 91 Chinese military aircraft flying on missions around the island. Taiwan's official Central News Agency said it was a record, although the defense ministry said it could not verify whether it was true.

The ministry published a map showing on Monday that Chinese aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, which usually serves as an unofficial barrier, to the north and center.

It also shows 15 aircraft-based J-15 fighter jets, most likely flying off China's Shandong carrier, flying east to Taiwan. Taipei has previously tracked Shandong in the Western Pacific since last week.

China, which warns the US not to allow President Tsai to visit or meet McCarthy, has never ruled out the use of force to bring the democratically-ruled island under Beijing's control. However, the Taiwanese government strongly denies China's claims.