Taiwan detects 50 Chinese aircraft near island after British warship passage

Taipei City: Taiwan’s Defence Ministry reported on Friday, that it had detected 50 Chinese military aircraft around the island over the past 24 hours.

The activity follows the recent passage of a British naval vessel through the Taiwan Strait, a move that has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions between Taipei and Beijing.

According to reports, In addition to the aircraft, six Chinese naval vessels were also observed operating near Taiwan from 600 am, Friday (2200 GMT Thursday), according to the ministry’s statement.

Beijing increases pressure

China has steadily increased the deployment of its fighter jets and naval ships in the area in recent years as part of its efforts to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, a claim that Taiwan firmly rejects.

As per reports, Taipei has also accused Beijing of waging an aggressive campaign that includes espionage, cyberattacks, and spreading disinformation in order to undermine the island's defences.

British naval passage draws notice

The uptick in Chinese activity came shortly after the British Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey passed through the Taiwan Strait on 18 June, according to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry.

The 180-kilometre (112-mile) wide strait is considered by the United States and several other nations as international waters, open to all vessels for navigation.

The last instance of a British warship transiting the Taiwan Strait occurred in 2021, when HMS Richmond, a frigate deployed with Britain’s aircraft carrier strike group, travelled from Japan to Vietnam.

China had strongly condemned that passage and responded by deploying its military to monitor the ship.

Recent record in aerial activity

Earlier this year, in March, Taiwan detected 59 Chinese aircraft around the island, the highest number recorded since a peak in October. That spike came just days after President Lai Ching-te described China as a “foreign hostile force”.