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The Taiwan Ministry of Defense denounced this Saturday, September 3, that two Chinese fighter planes crossed the dividing line of the Strait of Formosa. The accusations came a day after the United States announced an arms package for Taipei worth $1.1 billion. Beijing warned that it would take “countermeasures”.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense assured that this Saturday, September 3, at least two Beijing military planes crossed the middle line of the Formosa Strait. Although it is not an official border, it normally serves to establish the territorial barrier between the two parties.
The Taiwanese ministry indicated that in total it has detected four Chinese planes and five ships in its airspace and waters.
“5 PLAN vessels and 4 PLA aircraft around our surrounding region were detected today, September 3, 2022 (…) The Taiwanese Armed Forces have responded to these activities with combat air patrols, warships, and ground-based missile systems,” he specified. the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, through its official Twitter account.
5 PLAN vessels and 4 PLA aircraft around our surrounding region were detected today (September 3, 2022) until 1700(GMT+8). #ROCARmedForces have monitored the situation and responded to these activities with aircraft in CAP, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems. pic.twitter.com/McUpmBIBSc
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) September 3, 2022
The complaint comes at a time when China continues military drills around the independent island, but which the Asian giant claims as its own.
The threats rose after the official trip to Taipei of the president of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, on August 2, something considered by the Xi Jinping Administration as the crossing of “a red line”.
Beijing, which for decades has seen Taiwan as a “rogue province” that would at some point be annexed to its control, sees actions such as an official visit by a top foreign official as overt endorsement of the island’s independence.
For a month now, China has reinforced its presence around the island and is carrying out “live fire” drills. A situation seen by some experts as the prelude to a possible invasion.
However, in recent weeks a Pentagon official has indicated that Washington stands by its assessment that China would not attempt to invade Taiwan, at least for the next two years.
Now tensions are rising even higher after Washington’s announcement of a package for Taiwanese defenses.
US Approves $1.1 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan
The US State Department approved on Friday, September 2, a possible sale of military equipment to Taipei, for 1.1 billion dollars, including 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles.
The Pentagon said the package is necessary in the wake of China’s aggressive military exercises around Taiwan in the past month.
The delivery also includes Sidewinder missiles, which can be used for air-to-air and surface attack missions, for around $85.6 million, Harpoon anti-ship missiles at an estimated cost of $355 million, and support for the surveillance radar from Taiwan for an estimated $665.4 million, according to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
However, the decision further infuriated Beijing, which again warned that it will take “countermeasures”.
“China will resolutely take the legitimate and necessary countermeasures in light of the development of the situation,” said Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, adding that the possible arms sale “gravely endangers relations” between his country and Washington and at risk peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
For its part, the Administration of President Joe Biden pointed out that the Defense package has been under consideration for some time and was developed in consultation with the legislators of his nation and of the island, which functions autonomously with its own Government and Army.
“As the PRC continues to increase pressure on Taiwan, including through an increased air and sea military presence around Taiwan, and engages in attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, we are providing Taiwan what it needs to maintain its own defense capabilities,” Laura Rosenberger, White House senior director for Beijing and Taipei, said in a statement.
The announced aid still needs to be approved by the US Congress. In the Legislative, the Taiwanese authorities have the support of both Democrats and Republicans, so their confirmation will only be a formality.
With Reuters, AP and EFE
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