The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) dispatched 18 aircraft and four navy boats to Taiwan on Saturday, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry, while Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visited the island's Central American allies.
At approximately 6 a.m., Taiwan's military observed Chinese planes and navy vessels. (Local time), with 10 aircraft seen crossing the Taiwan Strait median line, the ministry stated in a tweet.
Taiwan replied by deploying aircraft, naval boats, and land-based missile systems to monitor the operations of the Chinese military.
This follows Beijing's vow of reprisal if Tsai meets with US officials. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) joined her on March 29 for a 10-day tour to Guatemala and Belize, two of the 13 countries having official diplomatic links to Taiwan.
On Friday, Tsai landed in Guatemala and met with her colleague, Alejandro Giammattei. According to Tsai's Office, the two countries inked a "fundamental cooperation agreement" during the presidents' meeting.
Following that, the Taiwanese leader is slated to visit Belize and make stops in Los Angeles on her way back.
Taiwan's administration has stated that Tsai's journey to Central America includes regular transits and has urged China not to exploit them as a pretext for aggressive action against the self-ruled island.
Nevertheless, China's charge d'affaires, Xu Xueyuan, stated that the CCP saw Tsai's passage as a cover for Tsai's desire to campaign for Taiwan independence, and warned that it might lead to "serious confrontation in the U.S.-China relationship."
"As the saying goes, 'those who play with fire shall perish by it.'" "Violations of the 'One China' concept must be addressed by the Chinese government," Xu told reporters in Washington on Wednesday.
During then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) visit to the self-ruled island in August 2022, the CCP held military maneuvers surrounding Taiwan and limited military-to-military communication with the Pentagon.
It is uncertain whether China will take a similar measure this time.
Taiwan, according to the CCP, is a portion of its territory that must be unified with mainland China by all means necessary. China has frequently urged US diplomats not to meet with Tsai because such encounters are seen as support for Taiwan's quest to be recognized as an independent country.
Despite the US and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations, the two countries have sought significant business and cultural connections for decades.
