17 Chinese Military Aircraft, 5 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan, US P-8 Reconnaissance Aircraft Transits Taiwan Strait
Chinese Military: The Fujian aircraft carrier, China's first domestically designed and built catapult-equipped aircraft carrier completed its first sea trials in May 2024, subsequent trials to be held
TAIPEI - According to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense 17 Chinese military aircraft and 5 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted operating around the island of Taiwan on December 14th, 2024. Additionally, a U.S. P-8 reconnaissance aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait from south to north today, according to the Ministry.
Of the Chinese military aircraft spotted operating around the island there were fighter aircraft and drones. 13 of the aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait and entered into the island's southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Additionally, the Chinese military says that its Fujian aircraft carrier, China's first domestically designed and built catapult-equipped aircraft carrier completed its first sea trials in May 2024, and said that there will be subsequent sea trials as the construction advances.
Taiwan's Ministry of defense also said, "The threat posed by PLA [China] to Taiwan and the region has escalated from coercion to directly affecting the First Island Chain, undermining the rules-based international order. [Taiwanese Armed Forces] continue to forge our capabilities and deter war."
