China Sends Fighters, Helicopters, and Ships Near Taiwan

On Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported that two fighter jets, four naval vessels, and a military helicopter from the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) approached the island. This was noted in the ministry's Twitter announcement.

"At 06:00 today, three PLA aircraft and four vessels were detected around Taiwan," the statement said. It was confirmed that during the maneuvers, two J-16 fighter jets entered the southwestern section of Taiwan's air defense identification zone, while a Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopter was recorded in the island's eastern area. In response, Taiwanese military personnel scrambled air patrols, issued radio warnings, and put their anti-air missile units on alert.

The PLA has been conducting similar maneuvers since the visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei on August 2-3. Since then, several American and other foreign delegations have also visited Taipei. These visits are regarded in China as provocations and interference in its internal affairs.

Taiwan, China’s largest island, has its own administration since 1949, but Beijing considers it an inseparable part of a unified country.