The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China stated that the aircraft carrier Liaoning of the People’s Liberation Army Navy navigated through the northeastern waters of Taiwan in the early hours of today (18th). The ROC military was fully aware of the situation and closely monitored the fleet with reconnaissance aircraft, ships, and other assets.
The Chinese Communist Party does not shy away from using force against Taiwan, frequently dispatching aircraft and warships to provoke Taiwan. Former US Vice President Mike Pence has expressed support for a strong stance against the CCP and military assistance to Taiwan. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on the 16th a new arms sale to Taiwan worth $2.28 billion. The DSCA stated that the US State Department had approved the latest arms sale to Taiwan, marking the 16th such sale during President Joe Biden’s tenure.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China reported that the Liaoning aircraft carrier fleet of the People’s Liberation Army Navy passed through the waters northeast of Taiwan at 1:30 a.m. today, continuing to sail southeast towards Japan and the Okinawa Islands. Throughout this period, the ROC military closely monitored the surrounding sea and airspace, deploying reconnaissance aircraft, ships, and land-based missile systems to maintain high vigilance and readiness.
US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall warned on the 16th that the scale and sophistication of Chinese military exercises are increasingly geared towards invading and blockading Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced today that from 7:10 a.m., they had detected multiple Chinese J-16 and KJ-500 fighter jets engaging in maritime activities, with 12 instances of them crossing the median line and extending into the northern, central, and southwestern airspace of Taiwan. The ROC military also monitored Chinese forces in Gansu Province conducting missile firings. Using combined intelligence gathering methods, the military responded appropriately with the deployment of aircraft, ships, and missile systems.
On the 17th, a US Navy anti-submarine patrol plane once again flew through the airspace of the Taiwan Strait to reaffirm the US government’s commitment to freedom and open international airspace. The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China stated on the 17th that a US Navy P-8A aircraft had flown from south to north through the Taiwan Strait in the morning, and the situational awareness by the ROC military was normal during the passage.
In addition, a German frigate and a replenishment ship passed through the Taiwan Strait on the 13th. Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu expressed gratitude and emphasized during a meeting with German lawmakers that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway, welcoming any nation’s efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait.
Furthermore, the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan also released details of Chinese military activities in the waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan from 6 a.m. on the 17th to 6 a.m. today, detecting 9 instances of Chinese aircraft (including 6 instances crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait), 13 Chinese naval vessels, and 1 government vessel continuously operating in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait. The ROC military vigilantly monitored and responded with aircraft, ships, and missile systems.