EPA
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
China has allowed 71 fighter jets and 7 warships to cross the median line into the Taiwan Strait in the past 24 hours. The middle line of the strait between China and Taiwan is an unofficial border between the two countries. It is, according to Taiwan, the largest amount of Chinese war material across that border to date.
China’s show of military strength is a response to Taiwan’s desire for independence. China also calls it a resolute response to US provocation. Beijing is angry, among other things, over a passage in the US budget that describes more intense cooperation with Taiwan.
Nancy Pelosi
Last summer, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. Beijing sees foreign government visits to the island as recognition of Taiwan’s independence.
The median line in the Taiwan Strait has long been accepted by China and Taiwan as an unofficial border. Among the planes that crossed the finish line were more than 20 fighters and drones. This has happened more often since 2020. Chinese planes and warships continued to cross the border unofficially after Pelosi’s visit.
