Taiwan detects 41 Chinese military planes and ships before its president's American stops

As of Thursday evening, the Taiwanese military had deployed planes, ships and coastal missile systems after detecting 19 Chinese aircraft near the island.

Stopovers in American territory irritate Beijing. Taiwanese authorities detected 41 Chinese military planes and ships near the island on Friday, November 29, before a trip abroad by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. It is the largest Chinese military deployment around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of China, in more than three weeks. Taiwan also spotted a balloon – the fourth since Sunday – about 172 kilometers west of the island.

Lai Ching-te, who openly defends Taiwan's sovereignty, leaves Saturday to visit the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, the only Pacific nations among Taiwan's 12 remaining allies. Taiwanese officials have already stopped on American soil during trips to the Pacific or Latin America, arousing the anger of Chinese leaders.

“The Chinese (military) has the sacred mission of protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity and will resolutely crush all secessionist attempts for Taiwan's independence”warned Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry, at a press conference on Thursday. As of Thursday evening, the Taiwanese military had deployed planes, ships and coastal missile systems after detecting 19 Chinese aircraft near the island.

In recent years, China has increased its military activity around the island to pressure Taipei into accepting its sovereignty claims. It deploys fighter planes, drones and warships around Taiwan almost daily.