WorthyNews: Dozens of Chinese Warplanes Threaten Taiwan After Stationing U.S. Troops (Worthy News-Alert)

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

TAIPEI (Worthy News) – Scores of Chinese warplanes flew around Taiwan shortly after officials confirmed that U.S. troops had been stationed permanently on the democratically-ruled island, local authorities said Friday.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry confirmed it detected at least 36 Chinese military aircraft in a 24-hour window till 06:00 am local time on Friday, the highest number of warplanes observed around the territory this year.

The Ministry of National Defence also monitored “six naval ships” operating around Taiwan.

Friday’s announced figures followed nighttime threats by the Chinese military, with Taiwan’s defense ministry announcing around 10:30 pm Thursday that “20 fighter jets, aerial unmanned vehicles, and transport planes had been detected from 7:30 pm local time.”

The Taiwan’s Defense Ministry added that 20 aircraft even “crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.”

During the previous 24-hour period ending at 6:00 a.m. Thursday, the ministry said Beijing had sent in 32 aircraft.

China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, and Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Chinese control.

MILITARY THREATS

Yet the latest Chinese military threats came after U.S. and Taiwanese sources confirmed that American troops have been stationed permanently in Taiwan.

An American military presence was reported in the northeast city of Taoyuan on Taiwan’s main island, with troops providing specialized training on drone equipment for Taiwan’s elite Airborne Special Service Company.

U.S. sources said earlier that American forces had “started” to take up “permanent positions” at the Taiwanese Army’s amphibious command centers in Kinmen and Penghu, a group of islands run by Taiwan.

Their missions include regular training and exercises alongside Taiwan’s elite forces, Worthy News monitored.

It was a departure from earlier announcements that claimed U.S. forces were in Taiwan for teaching purposes.
In 2021, President Tsai Ing-wen revealed U.S. instructors were conducting “occasional training” with Taiwanese armed service members.

However, in recent days, Taiwanese defense chief Chiu Kuo-cheng told reporters that their presence was “a fixed thing.”

“No matter the situation, there may be blind spots or shortcomings. So we need to communicate with our allies—whether it is a team, a group, or a country,” he said. “We can learn from each other to see what strengths we have. This is a fixed thing,” the minister added in comments seen by Worthy News.

WASHINGTON CONCERNED

The stepped-up U.S. presence comes after U.S. President Joe Biden warned China in 2021 that the United States would defend Taiwan if Beijing attacked.

It was seen as an apparent shift from a long-held U.S. position, though the White House rushed to say that Biden’s remarks did not signify “a change” in United States policy.

Washington has expressed concern about China’s military activities near Taiwan in recent years. “After Ukraine, watch Taiwan,” a well-informed U.S. diplomat told Worthy News.

With many U.S. and European military resources dedicated to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China could try to attack Taiwan, he said.

During two other 24-hour periods in late January and early February, the Taiwan Defense Ministry detected 33 Chinese warplanes around the island.

Those observations followed the January 13 presidential election won by current Vice President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing dislikes.

Lai and Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will take office on May 20.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office on Tuesday condemned Hsiao over her visit to the Czech Republic, saying it served “the purpose of Taiwan independence… and is unhelpful for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

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