Taiwan says China maintains ‘combat’ patrol after latest US arms sales

TAIPEI – China deployed fighter jets and drones as part of a “joint combat readiness patrol” around Taiwan on October 27, Taipei said, hours after Beijing criticized the latest round of US arms sales to the island .

On October 25, the United States Department of State approved a $2 billion arms sales package for Taiwan, including advanced surface-to-air missile and radar systems. The agreement awaits approval by Congress.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it detected 19 Chinese aircraft on October 27, including fighter jets and drones, near the island over a period of nearly four hours as part of Beijing’s “joint combat readiness patrol.” with warships.

It was the third such patrol reported by Taiwan’s Defense Ministry this month.

“Taiwan’s military closely monitored the situation with joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, deploying aircraft, warships and coastal missile systems as an appropriate response,” the ministry said.

It came a day after Beijing’s Foreign Ministry said the latest arms package “seriously violates China’s sovereignty and security interests, seriously damages relations between China and the United States and endangers peace and stability” in the Strait.

“China strongly condemns and firmly opposes it, and has made solemn representations to the United States,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement late on October 26.

He added that Beijing would “take all necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”

Taipei’s Defense Ministry expressed its “sincere gratitude” for the sale on October 25, saying it would “help the military continue to improve its defense resilience and jointly maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” .

China claims Taiwan as part of its own territory and has refused to rule out using force to bring the island under its control.

Beijing maintains an almost daily presence of fighter jets, drones and warships around the democratic island, and They conducted large-scale war games in its vicinity this month.

Earlier this month, Taiwan detected a record 153 Chinese aircraft in one day.

The United States is Taipei’s key partner and arms supplier despite having no official diplomatic ties with the democratic island.

In September, Beijing sanctioned American defense companies in retaliation for Washington’s approval of the sale of military equipment to Taiwan. AFP