Taiwan spots 51 Chinese warplanes as US unveils trade talks

TOKYO, Aug 18 (KUNA) -- The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said Thursday that it spotted 51 warplanes and six warships from China around Taiwan as of 5 pm (0900 GMT), the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported.
Out of the 51 aircraft, 25 planes, including fighter jets and bombers, either crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered the southwestern part of Taiwan's air defense identification zone, the ministry said. In response, Taiwan monitored the situation with combat air patrols, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems, the ministry said.
The median line was previously treated as an unofficial border on both sides of the Taiwan Strait for many years, however Chinese planes have crossed it several times since August 3 ahead of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's 19-hour visit that began later that night.
The latest maneuvers came on the same day that Taiwan and the US announced their intent to begin formal trade negotiations this fall. Expressing opposition to the upcoming Taiwan-US trade talks, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday urged Washington to adhere to the "one China principle," stop any official interactions with Taiwan and refrain from signing any agreements "with sovereign connotation and of official nature" with Taiwan. Wang also said Beijing will take resolute measures to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. China and Taiwan separated after a civil war in 1949, but Beijing sees the island as its territory. (end) mk.hb