US expresses concern as China flies warplanes south of Taiwan – FOX23 News

TAIPEI, Taiwan – (AP) – The Chinese military flew 16 fighter jets over waters south of Taiwan on Sunday as the United States worried about what it called “provocative military action “from China near the autonomous island claimed by China.

China sent 38 war planes in the region on Friday and 39 planes Saturday, the highest number in a single day since Taiwan began publishing reports on thefts in September 2020. The thefts took place on day and night outings, and it was not clear whether China was planning to do so. other flights Sunday evening.

A statement by US State Department spokesman Ned Price warned that China’s military activity near Taiwan risks miscalculation and undermines regional peace and stability.

“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan,” the statement said.

He added that the United States, Taiwan’s largest arms supplier, would continue to help the government maintain sufficient self-defense capability.

China and Taiwan separated in 1949 in a civil war in which the Communists took control of mainland China and rival nationalists established a government in Taiwan, an island of 24 million people. about 160 kilometers off the east coast.

China has frequently sent military planes to the region south of Taiwan for over a year. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said 12 fighter jets and four other military jets entered the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone on Sunday.

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Associated Press reporter Matthew Lee in Washington, DC contributed to this report.

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