China Flies 24 Warplanes Near Taiwan After US Approval of Arms Sales
Taiwan’s military detected 24 Chinese warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, and five vessels near the island just a day after the United States announced its approval of two potential arms sales to Taiwan.
The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Chinese warplanes and vessels were conducting “joint combat readiness and police patrol” near the island at around 8 a.m. (local time) on June 30.
Of those, 11 warplanes were spotted crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taiwan’s military to dispatch aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems in response, the ministry said.
Beijing’s latest show of force followed the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) decision on June 29 to approve two potential arms sales to Taiwan, valued at up to $440 million….