Taiwan raised concerns about the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) increased presence on Monday, Sept. 18, by reporting that it had counted 103 Chinese warplanes flying over the island in the previous 24 hours.
According to the ministry, there has been a “recent high” in the quantity of Chinese military aircraft flying operations over the ocean over the past 24 hours.
Beijing was warned by Taipei to stop its “destructive, unilateral action” or else tensions could skyrocket.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that between Wednesday (Sept. 13) and Thursday ((Sept. 14) morning, 68 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels had been spotted.
Taiwan reported on Tuesday that it had found 35 airplanes flying over the island the day before.
The US, South Korea, and Canada staged a coordinated maritime exercise on Thursday in the Yellow Sea, which is thought to have coincided with the Chinese drills.
China’s efforts to claim Taiwan and incorporate it into the mainland are part of the military buildup.
Plan for a pacific union
Chinese leaders presented a new strategy to advance their quest for “peaceful unification” with Taiwan on Tuesday (September 12).
Under the proposed measures, Fujian Province will serve as a model for “integration” with the island nation.
In three days, Taiwan finds 33 warships and 84 warplanes in close proximity to the island.
The State Council, China’s cabinet, and the Central Committee of the Communist Party jointly released the plan, which aims to “deepen cross-strait integrated development in all fields and promote the process of peaceful reunification”.
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In addition, the proposal calls for making it simpler for Taiwanese nationals to reside in Fujian, study there, and do business there, as well as encouraging local businesses to hire people from Taiwan.
They also demand that the coastal city of Xiamen swiftly integrate with the Kinmen and Matsu groups of islands, which are administered by Taiwan but are located just a few miles off the coast of mainland China.
