Taiwan’s defense ministry announced on Sunday that Chinese military aircraft and warships conducted another “combat patrol” near the island. This comes in the wake of Beijing’s threats to take countermeasures against a recent $2 billion arms sale package from the United States.
Under US law, the government is required to provide Taiwan, which China claims as its own, with defense capabilities despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, a situation that continues to infuriate Beijing. On Friday, the Pentagon approved a potential arms sale that includes, for the first time, an advanced air defense missile system that has been battle-tested in Ukraine.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported the detection of 19 Chinese military aircraft, including Su-30 fighter jets, participating in a “joint combat readiness patrol” around Taiwan, accompanied by Chinese warships. These aircraft operated in airspace to the north, center, southwest, and east of Taiwan, prompting Taiwanese forces to monitor the situation closely.
China’s defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment outside of regular office hours. While Beijing conducts similar patrols several times a month, this particular operation followed recent extensive war games conducted by China near the island.
In a statement late Saturday, China’s foreign ministry expressed strong condemnation of the US arms sale, asserting that it had made “solemn representations” to Washington. China urged the US to cease its arms sales to Taiwan and to halt actions that jeopardize peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The ministry warned that “China will take resolute countermeasures” to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, although it did not specify what these measures would entail.
Over the past five years, China has intensified its military activities around Taiwan, which has a democratically elected government that rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty. In response to the new arms sale, Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed the support, stating, “In the face of China’s threats, Taiwan is duty-bound to protect its homeland and will continue to demonstrate its determination to defend itself.” This arms sale marks the 17th to Taiwan under President Joe Biden’s administration.