Taiwan detects 6 Chinese aircraft, 11 naval vessels around its waters

Taiwan's military detected 6 Chinese aircraft and 11 naval vessels on Saturday, following a similar presence on Friday. The armed forces monitored the situation. Separately, Taiwan's NSB revealed China is sending officials to embassies to monitor Taiwanese.

Chinese Military Activity Near Taiwan

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of six sorties of Chinese military aircraft, 11 naval vessels and an official ship operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Saturday. The Taiwanese Armed Forces said they responded accordingly.

In a post on X, the MND said, "6 sorties of PLA aircraft, 11 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2002182180114669611?s=20

Earlier on Friday, Taiwan detected seven sorties of Chinese military aircraft and 11 naval vessels operating around itself. In a post on X, the MND said, "7 sorties of PLA aircraft and 11 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2001819771608645827?s=20

China Deploys Officials to Monitor Taiwanese Abroad

Meanwhile, China has assigned two to four individuals specialising in Taiwan issues to its embassies in various democratic nations to observe and intimidate Taiwanese, actions that the host countries are unlikely to accept, National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen stated, according to the Taipei Times.

Tsai made these remarks during a session of the legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee, which requested him and Minister of National Defence Wellington Koo to discuss potential conflicts in the Taiwan Strait and military readiness.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Michelle Lin voiced worries that Beijing has dispatched personnel from China's Taiwan Affairs Office to its embassies abroad to surveil and intimidate Taiwanese businesspeople, expatriates, and exchange students, according to the Taipei Times report.

Tsai acknowledged that China occasionally sends two to four staff members with expertise on Taiwan issues to its foreign embassies, though he could not specify which countries are involved.

The bureau is monitoring the situation and working with local authorities to ensure that Chinese officials do not harass Taiwanese citizens overseas, Tsai said, according to the Taipei Times. (ANI)

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