China has deployed dozens of planes and warships close to Taiwan?

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said today, January 2, that Chinese fighter jets and warships conducted their first 'combat patrol' around Taiwan on the occasion of the New Year.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said it had detected 22 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters, conducting "combat-ready patrols" around Taiwan along with Chinese warships, starting this morning, January 2, according to Reuters.

A Chinese-made J-16 fighter jet flies during the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, November 12, 2024.

According to Taiwan's Defense Ministry, the Chinese military aircraft flew in airspace north, west, southwest and east of Taiwan, and Taiwanese forces were dispatched to monitor them.

China's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report, according to Reuters.

On January 1, China's Eastern Theater Command, whose area of ​​responsibility includes Taiwan, released a New Year's video on social media featuring warships and fighter jets, and images appeared to show a Chinese fighter jet flying near a P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft that the US occasionally sends over the Taiwan Strait, according to Reuters.

China issues statement after military activities around Taiwan

The video also includes footage of Chinese students visiting Taiwan late last year at the invitation of former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou.

Taiwan's Foreign Affairs Minister Lin Chia-long told reporters in Taipei today that the video was yet another form of psychological warfare by China.

At a New Year press conference in Taipei on January 1, Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-teh reiterated his desire to talk to China. He has repeatedly called for talks but has been rejected. China considers Taiwan an indivisible part of its territory, while Lai is seen as advocating secession, arguing that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trung-quoc-da-trien-khai-hang-chuc-may-bay-tau-chien-sat-dai-loan-185250102140039377.htm