China waited for Blinken to leave and resumed military activities, Taiwan reports

Taiwan reports renewed Chinese military activity. Twelve Chinese aircraft reportedly crossed the sensitive middle line in the Taiwan Strait today, a day after US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken left China.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said it had detected 22 Chinese military aircraft, including Su-30 fighter jets, as of 9:30 a.m. Saturday, 12 of which had crossed the median line into northern and central Taiwan. The line once served as an unofficial border between the countries that neither army was allowed to cross. China currently denies the existence of the border and routinely sends its planes over it. According to Reuters, which published the information, the Chinese Ministry of Defense did not comment on the situation.

The US is Taiwan’s most important arms supplier, even without official diplomatic ties. During his stay in China, Blinken stressed the “critical importance” of maintaining peace and stability between Taiwan and China. Democratically governed Taiwan faces increased military pressure from China, which claims the island as its territory. The Taiwanese government denies these claims.

China views Taiwan as the most important issue in its relations with the United States, and Beijing has repeatedly demanded that Washington end arms sales to Taiwan. Newly elected Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te will take office on May 20 after winning the January election. Beijing considers him a dangerous separatist and rejects his repeated calls for peace talks.