Chinese ships and planes rehearsed an attack on Taiwan on Saturday, Taiwanese military officials said, prompting the island nation to counter with its aircraft, according to Reuters. Taiwan’s defense ministry said 20 Chinese aircraft and 14 warships conducted missions around the Taiwan Straits on Saturday afternoon, Reuters reported. The ministry said 14 of the 20 Chinese planes crossed the median line – a 110-mile-long strait that acts as an unofficial barrier between China and Taiwan. Taiwan’s jets scrambled, the ministry said, and the military also issued a warning and put land-based missiles on standby, Reuters reported. A source familiar with the security planning told the news agency that, off Taiwan’s east coast, Chinese warships and drones also simulated attacks on US and Japanese warships. Reuters reported that China’s Eastern Theater Command continued to conduct joint sea and air exercises near Taiwan to test the system’s land attack and sea attack capabilities. The Chinese drills, which include live-fire drills, began on Thursday and are set to continue until Sunday. The drills came after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the self-governing island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Beijing has repeatedly warned of a possible military response to Pelosi’s trip to Taipei, Insider previously reported. Since Thursday, the exercises have included the firing of ballistic missiles over and around Taiwan. China also deployed aircraft and ships around the Taiwan Strait on Friday, Taipei’s defense ministry said, with some military assets crossing the median line. Insider reported that while this is not unprecedented, it is emblematic of the recent rise in tensions in the region.
