The United States reaffirms its support for Taiwan after China sent planes to the island to “intimidate”

United States reaffirm their support for Taiwan after that China he sent fighter jets near the island in an apparent attempt to intimidate his democratic government and test the determination of the new American government.

The State Department said Saturday it was concerned about the “pattern (of China) of continuous attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan.”.

“We urge Beijing to end its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and, instead, engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected representatives.”, Said in a statement Ned Price, a spokesman for the department.

The Taiwan Defense Ministry noted that on Saturday China sends eight bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons – four fighter jets to its air defense identification zone to the southwest of the island. On Sunday, China sent another 16 military ships of various types to the same area, he added.

Taiwan responded by sending fighter jets, transmitting warnings by radio and “Deployed air defense missile systems to monitor activity”, The ministry added.

So far there has been no comment from China on Sunday.

The flights were part of a raid pattern aimed at pressuring the government of President Tsai Ing-wen to yield to Beijing’s demand that it recognize Taiwan as part of Chinese territory..

They happen after the recent inauguration of President Joe Biden, emphasizing the island’s enduring stance on the wide variety of divisive issues between the two sides that also include human rights, trade disputes and, more recently, questions about the initial response of China in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.