Chinese warships, planes found on island during US-Taiwan meeting | World News

Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Thursday it had spotted a Chinese anti-submarine helicopter and three warships near the self-governing island, after President Tsai Ing-wen Meets with Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.

“A PLA aircraft and three Chinese Navy ships were spotted near Taiwan at 6:00 am (UTC 8) this morning,” Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

“The Armed Forces have monitored the situation and have assigned CAP aircraft, naval vessels and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities,” it added.

Tsai made the statement after meeting McCarthy in California during a stopover on her way home from Guatemala and Belize, one of Taiwan’s only 13 diplomatic allies.

China has Threats to respond “firmly” to the meeting.

Taipei’s Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan’s top China decision-making body, accused Beijing on Wednesday of “impeding” trade in the Taiwan Strait by conducting on-site inspections of cargo and passenger ships.

Chinese maritime authorities had earlier said they were stepping up patrols in the waters between the island and mainland China, but gave no further details.

“China’s move deliberately exacerbates cross-strait tensions,” the MAC said.

“This is a clear violation of cross-strait shipping agreements and maritime practices, and will have a serious adverse impact on normal cross-strait traffic.”