The opening of two new air routes, with flight paths near two outlying islands controlled by Taiwan, is the latest move by China to up the pressure on Taiwan ahead of the swearing-in of the president-elect, Lai Ching-te, Voice of America reported citing several analysts.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected six Chinese naval vessels and two military aircraft around the country between 6 am on Monday and 6 am on Tuesday, Taiwan News reported.
Taiwan is battling a sustained Chinese espionage campaign and to root out those spies, the legislators of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have proposed an amendment to strip benefits from military retirees who have received suspended sentences for espionage-related offence
Amid strained ties, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected 10 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around the nation between 6 a.m. on Sunday (April 21) and 6 a.m. on Monday (April 22), reported Taiwan News.
Among the 16 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 12 crossed the Taiwan Strait media line and entered the southwest corner of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence.
Taiwan slammed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for calling it an "integral part of China" and said that the "Chinese Communist Party regime has never governed Taiwan."
"Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese people. There is no grudge that cannot be resolved, no issue that cannot be discussed and no force that can separate us," Xi told the former Taiwan president.
According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, of the 10 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and four entered the southwest corner of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
Taiwanese armed forces have monitored the situation and deployed naval vessels and coastal systems in response to China's activities, according to the statement.
As the band exited the venue on Tuesday evening, they were surrounded by banners advocating for "Taiwan Independence" and "Free Hong Kong," while slogans like "Taiwan and China, one country on each side" and "Free Hong Kong, revolution now" echoed in the air.