China conducted joint combat patrols around Taiwan on Wednesday, in a potential resumption of military intimidation after Taiwan’s presidential election last weekend. But analysts say the reaction from China’s ruling Communist party has been relatively muted so far, despite the success of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive party (DPP) – which Beijing loathes as “separatists” – in retaining the presidency.
On Thursday morning Taiwan’s defence ministry reported the People’s Liberation Army had sent 24 planes and five navy vessels into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone in the previous 24 hours, the first incursion of significant size since November. The air and sea craft conducted joint patrols including crossing the unofficial maritime border, the median line, it said.
