17 Mar, 05:55

Taiwan detects 13 Chinese PLA warplanes, nine vessels, two balloons near island

Taiwan’s defense agency has regularly recorded the approach of Chinese warplanes and warships of late

HONG KONG, March 17. /TASS/. Taiwan’s armed forces have registered the approach of 13 aircraft of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and nine warships of the PLA Navy as well as two balloone near the island, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense reported.

"Thirteen sorties of PLA aircraft and nine PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today (10:00 p.m. GMT on Sunday — TASS). Seven out of 13 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Two PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe," the Taiwanese military said in a post on X.

Taiwan’s defense agency has regularly recorded the approach of Chinese warplanes and warships of late.

Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, when the remnants of the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled there after their defeat in the Chinese Civil War. Beijing considers Taiwan a province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

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