Beijing intensifies its military pressure on Taiwan after the United States and China announced talks

Taipei (Taiwan) – China has sent more than 30 warplanes and a group of naval ships towards Taiwan, the island's Ministry of Defense said on Saturday.

The military pressure follows the announcement that senior US and Chinese representatives are expected to meet in the Thai capital as the two countries seek to calm tensions.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army sent 33 aircraft, including Su-30 fighter jets, and six naval ships around Taiwan, between 6 a.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday. Of these aircraft, 13 warplanes crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial border considered a buffer zone between the island and the mainland. Taiwan monitored the situation and used its own forces in response to the activities.

China claims self-governing Taiwan as its territory and in recent years has expressed its dissatisfaction with political activities in Taiwan by sending military aircraft and ships. Taiwan said six Chinese balloons flew over the island or through the airspace just north of it, days after the self-governing island elected Lai Ching-ti as the new president. Lai's Democratic Progressive Party has campaigned largely on self-determination, social justice, and rejection of China's threats.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were in Bangkok for talks, although it was not clear when the meeting would take place or if it had already taken place.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of a summit in November in an attempt to mend relations strained by disagreements over a range of economic and geopolitical issues. US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said that the scheduled meeting in Bangkok continues the commitment made by Biden and Xi “to maintain strategic communication and manage the relationship responsibly.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Friday that Foreign Minister Wang will clarify China's position on Taiwan and US-China relations during the talks, and discuss international and regional concerns.

Among the immediate international concerns for both countries are tensions in the Red Sea that have turned global trade upside down by forcing many shipping companies to avoid the Suez Canal. Beijing said it was making positive efforts to calm the situation in which Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired missiles at international ships.