Tensions in East Asia; Chinese Fighter Jets Cross the Median Line of the Taiwan Strait

Taiwan's Air Force took action on Sunday after detecting 10 Chinese fighter jets crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The island's defense ministry stated that four Chinese warships also conducted combat patrols. According to Reuters, this is the second time in less than a week that Taiwan has reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island. Previously, 37 Chinese military aircraft flew into Taiwan's air defense zone on Thursday, some of which then headed west towards the Pacific Ocean. China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has regularly sent its air force close to the island over the past three years, but the aircraft have not entered Taiwan's territorial airspace. The Taiwanese defense ministry reported that by 2 PM local time on Sunday, 24 Chinese Air Force aircraft had been identified, including J-10, J-11, J-16 fighters, as well as Su-30s and H-6 bombers. Taiwan's statement did not specify where these aircraft flew but noted that 10 of them crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which acts as an informal barrier. China claims it does not recognize such a line and has routinely crossed it since last year. China has previously stated that such missions are conducted to protect national sovereignty. U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that the U.S. will defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. Earlier in June, the U.S. military accused a Chinese warship of making an 'unsafe' passage near an American destroyer in the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. military released video of the 'unsafe' passage of the Chinese warship alongside the American destroyer in the Taiwan Strait. China has warned that conflict with the U.S. would be an 'unbearable catastrophe.' Despite China's opposition, the U.S. signed a trade agreement with Taiwan.