China’s military harassment of Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory, has increased in recent years. The Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army sent planes or ships to the island almost every day.

Read: 34 Chinese military planes cross the median line, frightened by Taiwan

“Between Sunday (25/12/2022) 06:00 a.m. and Monday (26/12/2022) 06:00 a.m., 47 Chinese planes crossed the median of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that was once tacitly accepted by both sides,” according to the Ministry. National Defense of Taiwan.

As AP reported, among the planes China sent to Taiwan were 18 J-16 fighters, 11 J-1 fighters, 6 Su-30 fighters and drones.

Taiwan said it was monitoring China’s movements through its land-based missile system, as well as on its own navy ships.

“This is a firm response to the current escalation and provocation between the United States and Taiwan,” Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement Sunday. It was announced that the PLA was conducting joint combat patrols and joint strike drills in the waters around Taiwan.

Read: Chinese army holds offensive drills around Taiwan

Shi was referring to the US defense spending bill, which calls China a strategic challenge. Regarding the Indo-Pacific region, the law enacts enhanced security cooperation with Taiwan and calls for expanded cooperation with India in emerging defense technologies, preparedness and logistics.

In Washington, a White House National Security Council official said China’s military activity near Taiwan “is derailed, risks miscalculation, and undermines regional peace and stability.”

The Chinese military frequently uses large military exercises as a show of force in response to the US government’s actions in favor of Taiwan.

(esn)