Taiwan Worried, China Again Holds Combat Preparedness Patrol With 26 Military Aircraft

UNSPLASH/BRyan robinson ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said China was again conducting a "patrol of joint combat readiness" near the island.

This patrol comes after China's threat to execute Taiwanese independence separatists who are 'hard-headed' in extreme cases, which is increasing tensions.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said starting at 07.00 local time, it detected 26 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets, operating north, central and south of Taiwan, carrying out joint combat readiness patrols with Chinese warships.

Taiwan has often reported on such missions, which are part of China's increased pattern of harassment in the last four years.

As reported by Reuters on Wednesday, June 26, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office in China said the government has the legal right to protect the integrity of its territory, and defended new guidelines last week to punish what Beijing considers separatism.

National law enforcement and judiciary will pursue all supporters of Taiwan's independence who test the law until the end wherever they are and punish them severely in accordance with the law, Zhu Fenglian told reporters.

The Chinese court has no jurisdiction in Taiwan and it is unclear how China can implement any decision beyond its borders.

Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but was rejected. He rejected Beijing's claim to sovereignty and said only the Taiwanese could determine their future.