Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Relations between China and Taiwan are getting to their worst. This time, Beijing decided to send its batch of fighter jets into Taiwanese airspace as a form of irritation over the region’s actions following trans-Pacific trade agreement.
Citing the Straits Times, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense revealed that China sent two groups of air combat fleets consisting of dozens of warplanes.
“Twenty-four People’s Liberation Army aircraft flew into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone,” the ministry said.
The flight came a day after Taiwan announced its request to join a trade deal called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). China, which claims Taiwan is its own, called Taipei joining the CPTPP an unacceptable act.
“We firmly oppose any country having official exchanges with Taiwan and firmly oppose Taiwan’s regional action to any official agreement or organization,” said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian.
China is also known to have submitted applications to join the trade alliance. The CPTPP so far has covered Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam. Combined, these countries account for 13.5% of the total world economy.
On the other hand, Japan, which is China’s regional rival, welcomed Taiwan’s inclusion in the agreement. Tokyo called this a good signal for cooperation in the Pacific region.
“Japan welcomes Taiwan’s application to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” said Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
Tensions between Taiwan and China itself have escalated since Tsai Ing-Wen was elected president in 2016. Tsai himself refused to accept the one-China principle that angered Beijing.
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