This handout photograph taken between December 7-8, 2024 and released on December 9 by the Taiwan Coast Guard shows a crewmember on board a Taiwan Coast Guard ship monitoring a Chinese coast guard vessel in waters east of Taiwan. Handout/Taiwan Coast Guard via AFP

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17338841221751733817765209AFP__20241209__36PW4VN__v1__HighRes__TaiwanChinaDefence.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"></span></span></span></div><p>This handout photograph taken between December 7-8, 2024 and released on December 9 by the Taiwan Coast Guard shows a crewmember on board a Taiwan Coast Guard ship monitoring a Chinese coast guard vessel in waters east of Taiwan. Handout/Taiwan Coast Guard via AFP</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Taiwan said Wednesday it had detected 53 Chinese military aircraft and 19 ships near the island in the past 24 hours, as Beijing holds its biggest maritime mobilization in years.</p><p>The aircraft and vessels, which included 11 warships, were detected in Taiwan&#x27;s airspace and waters in the 24 hours to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, according to the defense ministry&#x27;s daily tally.</p><p>That was the highest number of aircraft detected in a single day since a record 153 was reported on October 15 after China staged large-scale military drills in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te&#x27;s National Day speech days earlier.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2024/12/10/china-s-coercive-behavior-challenges-regional-peace-pentagon-chief-1824">China&#x27;s &#x27;coercive behavior&#x27; challenges regional peace: Pentagon chief</a></div><p>The defense ministry reported Tuesday that 47 Chinese aircraft had been detected in Taiwan&#x27;s airspace along with 12 Chinese warships in the vicinity of the island.</p><p>Taipei said China is currently deploying around 90 ships along the so-called first island chain -- linking Okinawa, Taiwan and the Philippines -- in what is Beijing&#x27;s biggest maritime exercise in years.</p><p>There has been no public announcement by Beijing&#x27;s army or Chinese state media about increased military activity in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea or Western Pacific Ocean.</p><p>However, a Beijing foreign ministry spokeswoman said Tuesday that China -- which regards Taiwan as its territory -- will &quot;resolutely defend&quot; its sovereignty.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/10/marcos-rejects-sending-warships-to-west-philippine-sea-1047">Marcos rejects sending warships to West Philippine Sea</a></div><p>There has also been intense speculation about the possibility of China launching military exercises in response to Lai&#x27;s visits to the United States last week.</p><p>Lai spoke with Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson in Guam on Thursday -- the highest-level US contact the Taiwanese leader had during a week-long Pacific trip -- which drew a barrage of criticism from Beijing.</p><p>China -- which has said it would never rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control -- has held four large-scale military exercises in just over two years, including two since Lai took office in May.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/8/chinese-vessel-points-laser-at-bfar-ships-at-hasa-hasa-shoal-1243">Chinese vessel points laser at BFAR ships at Hasa-Hasa Shoal</a></div><p>Taiwan faces the constant threat of a military attack by China and relies heavily on US arms sales to boost its defenses.</p><p>On the eve of Lai&#x27;s Pacific tour, the United States approved a proposed sale to Taiwan of spare parts for F-16s and radar systems, as well as communications equipment, in deals valued at $385 million in total.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/5/ph-gov-t-files-another-diplomatic-protest-vs-china-2206">PH gov&#x27;t files another diplomatic protest vs. China</a></div><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Taiwan said Wednesday it had detected 53 Chinese military aircraft and 19 ships near the island in the past 24 hours, as Beijing holds its biggest maritime mobilisation in years.</p>

Taiwan said Wednesday it had detected 53 Chinese military aircraft and 19 ships near the island in the past 24 hours, as Beijing holds its biggest maritime mobilisation in years.

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Taiwan says detects 53 Chinese military aircraft, 19 ships near island

Taiwan says detects 53 Chinese military aircraft, 19 ships near island

Agence France-Presse

Published Dec 11, 2024 10:31 AM PHT

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