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The US State Department has expressed concern over a material increase in Chinese breaches of Taiwanese airspace.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has reported a spike in PLA activity over the country’s south-west air defence identification zone, with eight incidents recorded since the start of October.
This has included the detection of Shenyang J-16 and Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets, Shaanxi Y-8 ASW maritime patrol aircraft, Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and Xian H-6 bombers.
In response, the Taiwanese military has deployed combat air patrol platforms, issued radio warnings, and prepared air defence missile systems.
The surge in military activity has sparked fears of an imminent conflict, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “provocative military activity”.
“As we’ve said, the activity is destabilising, it risks miscalculation, and it has the potential to undermine regional peace and stability,” Secretary Blinken said.
“So, we strongly urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion directed at Taiwan.”
Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ “rock solid” commitment to Taiwan, which he said has contributed to the “maintenance of peace and stability”.
“[We] will continue to stand with friends, with allies to advance shared prosperity, shared security, shared values, as well as continue to deepen our ties with a democratic Taiwan,” he added.
The Secretary of State went on to urge Beijing to refrain from taking unilateral actions that “change the status quo by force”.
The escalation in tensions come just months after the US State Department approved US$750 million ($1 billion) in arms sales to Taiwan.
This included a request to purchase 40 BAE Systems-built 155mm M109A6 Paladin Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems.
This was in addition to over US$2.5 billion ($3.38 billion) in military support approved last year, including 135 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles, four weapons-ready MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, and a Field Information Communications System (FICS).
Leadership in Beijing subsequently announced sanctions against Lockheed Martin; Boeing Defense, Space & Security; and Raytheon Technologies, as well as other US individuals and entities involved in the sales.
The CCP accused the US of violating its ‘One China’ policy.
[Related: How will Beijing react to Taiwan’s latest arms boost?]
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