HONG KONG, January 23. /TASS/. Thirty-five Chinese warplanes and six ships reportedly approached Taiwan, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said.
"35 PLA (the Chinese People’s Liberation Army - TASS) aircraft and 6 PLAN (People’s Liberation Army Navy) vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 27 of the aircraft crossed the median line [over the Taiwan Strain] and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone - TASS). We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," it wrote on its X page.
Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island. Taiwan has preserved the flag and several other symbols of the Republic of China that had existed before the Communists took over the mainland. According to China’s official position, which is supported by most countries, including Russia, the Island of Taiwan is one of China’s provinces.