Taiwan has deployed fighter jets and naval vessels to keep an eye on increasing military movements from China near the island. Reports indicate that Chinese aircraft and ships were involved in a “joint combat readiness patrol” late Monday, as communicated by the X news agency.
This escalation from China’s military followed an announcement from the U.S. military about delaying arms sales to Taiwan, mainly due to supply issues linked to Operation Epic Fury, according to Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Kao during a Senate subcommittee hearing.
A senior official mentioned that Xi Jinping had assured President Trump he would not invade Taiwan, promising a free and open Indo-Pacific for the duration of his presidency. This claim raises some eyebrows, considering the current tensions.
The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan stated that it monitored the situation and deployed combat air patrol aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected Chinese activity. Based on their findings, as of 6 a.m., 29 sorties of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven ships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were active around Taiwan, with many crossing into Taiwan’s air defense identification zones.
Joseph Wu, Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council, noted over 100 Chinese ships were positioned along the First Island Chain, a crucial maritime route in the South China Sea. He characterized the Chinese military movements, especially after a recent summit in Beijing, as baseless provocations that threaten the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
On May 14, President Trump met with President Xi Jinping and discussed several topics, including trade and Taiwan. Trump suggested that the arms package could serve as an effective bargaining tool for the U.S.
During the Senate subcommittee hearing, Cao mentioned that the U.S. military had not held discussions with Taiwan about halting arms sales, emphasizing that the pause was merely to ensure adequate munitions were available for current operations.
There are accounts that the Liaoning aircraft carrier participated in a live-fire drill in the Western Pacific on May 19, which followed a previous standoff with a Japanese fighter jet. The Liaoning has an interesting backstory, initially purchased from Ukraine, reportedly for use as a casino, though it was heavily flawed at that time.
Recent reports also highlighted the proximity of Chinese warships carrying cruise missiles, which were detected a mere 24 nautical miles from Taiwan’s coast. The situation continues to evolve, and many are left wondering about the possible implications of these military maneuvers.
