Once again, Chinese ships and warplanes have crossed the centerline in the Taiwan Strait. According to the Taiwan Ministry of Defense, 17 aircraft and five ships crossed the unofficial border on Saturday.
China held major military exercises around the island state at the beginning of the month but has not stopped its military activities in the area since. In the ten days that followed, Taiwan saw several Chinese warplanes and ships, some of which also passed over the centerline.
The large multi-day Chinese exercise followed the visit of top American politician Nancy Pelosi to Taipei. China saw that as a provocation because it regarded the island state as a renegade province. Taiwan, in turn, views China’s continued military activities as a provocation.
On Friday, the US Air Force stressed that China’s actions in the area increase the risk of escalation. In the coming weeks, the United States will also conduct exercises in the area around Taiwan.