Three Chinese Warships Cross Taiwan Strait; Taiwan's Armed Forces on Alert

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday, May 27, that it has intercepted three Chinese warships, including the aircraft carrier 'Shandong,' passing through the Taiwan Strait. The ministry stated in a tweet that these ships were moving northward towards the west of the 'median line' - an unofficial border recognized by both sides. The ministry also mentioned that it is 'monitoring the movement of these ships and will respond appropriately.' Additionally, the Ministry of Defense reported that in the past 24 hours, it identified '33 Chinese fighter jets and 10 vessels' around Taiwan. According to the announcement, 12 of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered the island's air defense identification zone. Taiwan's armed forces also stated on Saturday that in response to China's actions, they have prepared 'aircraft, naval vessels, and ground missile systems.' In recent months, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan amid deteriorating relations with the United States. China has always considered Taiwan a part of its territory, which it can control by force if necessary. China regularly sends its warships and aircraft into the airspace and waters near the island. In April of this year, during military exercises, Beijing simulated targeted attacks on Taiwan and a blockade of the island multiple times. These military exercises were in response to the visit of Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, to the United States. In August 2022, following the visit of Nancy Pelosi, the then-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, to Taiwan, China also conducted military exercises, missile launches, and incursions into Taiwan's air and water space. The report below uses information from the Associated Press.