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China has\u00a0ramped up its threats to Taiwan in retaliation for a new potential arms sale between the island and Washington DC.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, the Taiwanese Defence Ministry set alarm bells ringing saying Beijing had sent dozens of aircraft and vessels towards the island.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Ministry counted 32 aircraft from China and nine vessels, all detected in the 24 hours between 6am Friday and 6am Saturday, local time (11pm BST).<\/p>\n
Worryingly, out of the 32 aircraft, 20 either crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or breached Taiwan\u2019s air defence identification zone.<\/p>\n
Taipei responded by sending out its own aircraft, vessels and missile systems as a warning, the Defence Military said.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> If China takes Taiwan by force they will dominate the world – Jonathan Saxty<\/strong><\/p>\n This comes just days after the US State Department approved a possible \u00a3397million ($500m) arms sale deal to Taiwan.<\/p>\n The deal included infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets among other equipment.<\/p>\n In a statement, the Pentagon seemingly stressed Washington DC formally acknowledges the One China policy, which states Taiwan is part of China.<\/p>\n The proposed sale of this equipment, the Pentagon said, “will not alter the basic military balance in the region”.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> It was also explained this approved package represents the maximum potential value of the contract and the actual dollar value will be lower.<\/p>\n While Washington doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it has crafted a robust unofficial relationship over the years and maintains the right to arm the island to avoid destabilisation in the region – namely Beijing taking it over.<\/p>\n Beijing was expected to be irritated by this possible deal as it has demanded Washington multiple times to stop arming Taiwan.<\/p>\n Indeed, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said two days after the Pentagon’s announcement, on Friday, that China opposed the arms sale, calling it a “gross interference” in Beijing\u2019s internal affairs and describing it as a “heinous act” that violates its “One China” principle, as well as three Sino-US joint communiques.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n On August 21, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen announced Taipei’s military spending would rise by 3.5 per cent year-on-year to hit a fresh record high in 2024.<\/p>\n Beijing’s fresh threatening move follows a series of military drills that have been taking place around the island in recent weeks in response to the island’s political activities.<\/p>\n Just last week, the Chinese military launched drills around Taiwan as a “stern warning” after Taiwan\u2019s vice president stopped over in the US while on an official trip to Paraguay.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/taiwan-4928549.jpg?r=1693039799564\")
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