{"id":72336,"date":"2023-04-09T14:48:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-09T14:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/04\/09\/china-flies-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-after-leaders-us-trip\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:54:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T14:54:00","slug":"china-flies-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-after-leaders-us-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2023\/04\/09\/china-flies-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-after-leaders-us-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"China flies fighter jets near Taiwan after leader\u2019s US trip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BEIJING \u2014 China<\/a> sent warships and dozens of fighter jets toward Taiwan<\/a> on Saturday, the Taiwanese government said, in retaliation for a meeting between the U.S. House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese military announced the start of three-day \u201ccombat readiness patrols\u201d as a warning to Taiwanese who want to make the island\u2019s de facto independence permanent. The People\u2019s Liberation Army gave no indication whether they might include a repeat of previous exercises with missiles fired into the sea, which disrupted shipping and airline flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaker Kevin McCarthy held talks with President Tsai Ing-wen<\/a> on Thursday in California, adding to a series of foreign lawmakers who have met Tsai to show support in the face of Chinese intimidation. Beijing responded Friday<\/a> by imposing a travel ban and financial sanctions against American groups and individuals associated with Tsai\u2019s U.S. visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"In
In this image taken from video footage run Saturday, April 8, 2023 by China’s CCTV, a Chinese ships sail in the Taiwan Strait. (CCTV via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, eight warships and 71 planes were detected near Taiwan, 45 of which flew across the middle line of the strait that separates it from the mainland, the island\u2019s Ministry of Defense said. It said they included Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-16 jet fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Saturday, the navy planned to hold \u201clive fire training\u201d in Luoyuan Bay in Fujian province opposite Taiwan, the local Maritime Authority announced. Ships were banned during the firing, which also was due to take place on five dates over the next two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taiwan split with China in 1949 after a civil war. The ruling Communist Party says the island is obliged to rejoin the mainland, by force if necessary. Beijing says contact with foreign officials encourages Taiwanese who want formal independence, a step the ruling party says would lead to war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a serious warning against the collusion and provocation between the \u2018Taiwan independence\u2019 separatist forces and external forces,\u201d said a PLA statement. The \u201cJoint Sword\u201d exercises \u201cdefend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plans also called for the exercise to include a destroyer, missile boats, ballistic missiles and land-based anti-ship missiles as well as early warning, electronic warfare and tanker aircraft, according to the The Global Times, a newspaper published by the Communist Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Taiwanese military said missile defense systems were activated and air and sea patrols sent to track the Chinese aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe condemn such an irrational act that has jeopardized regional security and stability,\u201d a Ministry of Defense statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese President Xi Jinping\u2019s government has stepped up efforts to intimidate the island by flying fighter jets and bombers nearby and firing missiles into the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\t