Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said China was deploying its largest number of military ships in recent years to areas around its territory.
Beijing reacted strongly to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent stopover in Hawaii and Guam, as well as his telephone conversations with US Congressional leaders. According to reports, China is likely planning to conduct a military exercise around Taiwan.
Defense Ministry officials told reporters on Tuesday that the number of Chinese ships deployed to areas around Taiwan in recent days was the largest since 2022. That year, China carried out a series of large-scale exercises around Taiwan in response to visits by U.S. lawmakers.
Defense Ministry officials also said that in the 24 hours before 6 a.m. Tuesday local time, a total of 47 military aircraft, as well as 21 warships and patrol vessels were spotted in areas around from Taiwan.
The Defense Ministry believes that China’s move appears to be an attempt to blockade Taiwan and keep foreign forces away.
He also said that Taiwan is not China’s only target, but the entire region is under threat.
