With the upcoming U.S. election, Taiwan has reported an increase in military activities by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense stated on Sunday (November 3) that it detected a total of 37 instances of military aircraft heading out to sea, with 35 instances crossing the median line and its extension into the western Pacific for training. This marks the second consecutive day that Taiwan has reported such activities.
According to a statement released by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, starting from 9 a.m. on Sunday, the Taiwanese military successively detected a total of 37 CCP aircraft, including J-16s, H-6s, KJ-500s, and drones involved in various types of combat and support activities heading out to sea. Of these, 35 instances crossed the median line and its extension, passing through Taiwan’s southwest, southern, and southeastern airspace towards the western Pacific for “far-sea long-haul” training.
The Defense Ministry also mentioned that Taiwan’s military vigilantly monitored these activities using joint intelligence surveillance methods, and dispatched mission aircraft, ships, and land-based missile systems to respond.
Similar activities were also reported by Taiwan on Saturday (November 2). The Defense Ministry stated that a total of 20 CCP aircraft, including Su-30s, KJ-500s, various combat and support aircraft, and drones were detected heading out to sea, with 11 instances crossing the median line and its extension, entering Taiwan’s northern, central, and southwest airspace, in conjunction with CCP vessels carrying out “joint military preparedness patrol.”
These activities are happening just days before the U.S. election, and the CCP’s Ministry of National Defense did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comments on these missions.
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, the United States remains Taiwan’s most important international supporter and weapons supplier. Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. is obligated to ensure Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
Last month, the U.S. government announced a roughly $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which angered Beijing.
The CCP held large-scale military exercises around Taiwan last month to increase military pressure on the Tsai Ing-wen government, drawing condemnation from Taiwan and the U.S. government.
The highly anticipated U.S. presidential election is set to take place on November 5. Taiwan is reported to be preparing for the outcome of the U.S. election, according to the Congressional Report.
“We are closely watching the U.S. election because the U.S. is our most important ally,” said Wu Chi-chung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan, in an interview with the Congressional Report. Taiwan is “very, very” concerned about this election.
A senior Taiwanese government official emphasized that both parties in the U.S. are united on the Taiwan issue, and Taiwan is “not that worried.”
“In fact, support for Taiwan from both parties is quite strong,” said the senior official, but the CCP will “test the new government,” and continued cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan to strengthen defense is crucial.