China Patrols Around Taiwan, Calls it 'Chinese Airspace' | Firstpost Live

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:00]Tensions between China and Taiwan are at an all-time high. In the latest confrontation, Beijing warned Taiwan against interfering in Chinese Air Force operations around the island.

[00:00:13]Beijing said its warplanes were conducting activities within Chinese airspace after Taiwan complained about a series of Chinese military patrols near the island. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory despite repeated objections from Taipei's government. Chinese warplanes and warships have circled around the island on a regular basis.

[00:00:36]>> Taiwan is a part of China. Our aircraft conduct military activities within Chinese airspace. The Taiwan independence armed forces had better refrain from interference and provocation.

[00:00:50]>> Well, Taiwan's defense ministry claimed earlier this week that multiple Chinese patrols involving fighter jets, drones, and warships were operating around the island. China has said it will continue to strengthen its combat readiness and take action against what Beijing calls separatist activities. Beijing has also repeatedly accused Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te of promoting independence, a charge he denies. This row also comes days after China and Taiwan engaged in a two-day maritime standoff near the disputed Pratas Islands. The islands located at the northern edge of the South China Sea are claimed by both China and Taiwan but controlled by Taipei. The two sides reportedly engaged in an intense verbal confrontation over sovereignty before the Chinese vessel ultimately sailed away according to Taiwanese officials. And [snorts] last week too, a Canadian naval frigate transited the Taiwan Strait despite consistent warnings from Beijing's ambassador to Canada against such actions. Now, the recent events have put Taipei on high alert. China has repeatedly stressed the need for reunification with Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve that goal. And after Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent trade summit with his US counterpart Donald Trump in Beijing, Taiwan reported that China had deployed more than 100 ships near the island. America's apparent ambivalence over continued defense support for Taiwan has also intensified pressure on Taipei. A crucial $14 billion defense package deal between the US and Taiwan is currently set in limbo. It is pending approval from the American side. Even as Taiwan, which heavily relies on American defense support, has emphasized on the importance of continued backing from the US. And to boost its domestic capabilities, Taiwan's parliament has also approved extra defense spending of $25 billion.

[00:02:49]>> Taiwan's national security must stand firmly on two legs.

[00:02:54]One is a sufficiently strong defense capability, and the other is the unceasing effort and determination to pursue cross-strait peace.

[00:03:04]>> So, with increased patrols, competing sovereignty claims, and rising concerns over external involvement, both sides are now locked in an increasingly volatile standoff. For now, the region remains on edge with no clear sign of de-escalation in sight.

[00:03:25]>> [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Mhm.