China’s military activities has reached a new peak as it sends 103 aircraft to Taiwan

Taiwan’s defense ministry stated on Monday that the 103 airplanes China’s military launched against Taiwan in a 24-hour period set a new daily record.

According to the ministry, the aircraft were seen between 6 a.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday. They did what is normal and turned around before they got to Taiwan.

As tensions between the two countries and with the United States have increased, China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has undertaken more significant military exercises in the air and on the seas near Taiwan. The US, Taiwan’s principal armaments supplier, opposes any effort to compel Taiwan to alter its status.

According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, 40 of the aircraft passed over the figurative midway point between the mainland and the island. In the previous 24 hours, nine naval boats were also reported.

The ministry referred to the Chinese military activity as “harassment” and issued a warning that it would worsen the tense situation. It issued a statement saying, “We urge the Beijing authorities to bear responsibility and immediately stop such kind of destructive military activities.””

The aircraft carrier Shandong was among the ships that China moved last week into the seas close to Taiwan. The exercises were held soon after warships from the US and Canada passed through the Taiwan Strait, the body of water separating the island from the mainland.

In an effort to both warn and entice Taiwan, China also unveiled a proposal for an integrated economic demonstration zone with Taiwan in China’s neighboring Fujian province. According to experts, China has always used a carrot and stick strategy.

China’s recent measures may be an effort to influence Taiwan’s next presidential election, which is scheduled to take place in January. The Chinese government abhors the island’s governing Democratic Progressive Party because it wants legal independence for the territory. Candidates from the opposition who advocate cooperating with the mainland are preferred by China.

China and Taiwan divided in 1949 after a civil war saw the communists seize power in China. The defeated Nationalists retreated to Taiwan, where they established their own government.

Even though just a few international countries officially recognize the island’s diplomatic independence, it is self-governing. Among other countries, the US maintains diplomatic relations with China and has a representation in Taiwan.