“ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.”
Taiwan News reports that 301 instances of Chinese military arcraft moving toward Taiwan have been observed as well as 165 instances of naval vessels making similarly aggressive patrols.
Taiwan has long sought to govern itself while stopping short of declaring independence.
But China considers Taiwan a province under the People’s Republic. As a result, Chinese President Xi Jinping has ramped up aggression against the island in recent years.
Many have feared Beijing’s forces could invade the country – concerns that have only increased over the past year.
The US has been one of the major supporters of Taiwan in recent years, and last week, Taipei admitted that American troops are stationed off the coast of China.
It is believed US troops are present on small islands close to mainland China, including Kinmen Island.
Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said: “This exchange is for mutual observation, to identify the problems we have, figure out how to improve and to recognize their strengths so we can learn from them.”
Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Marty Meiners added: “Our commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region.”
