China, which maintains Taiwan as its own territory, has launched flights almost every day over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea in recent months.
Still, they usually consisted of just one or two reconnaissance aircraft.
The presence of so many Chinese warfare planes on this mission—Taiwan said it was made up of eight nuclear-capable H-6K bombers and four J-16 fighter jets—is really weird.
WATCH: UCLA PROTESTORS LOST THEIR MIND CALLING THE UNIVERSITY A VIOLENT INSTITUTION
A map presented by Taiwan’s Defence Ministry revealed that the Chinese aircraft, which likewise included a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, operated over the same waters where the most recent Chinese missions have been taking place near the Pratas Islands, though still well away from mainland Taiwan.
WATCH: TRUMP'S ATTORNEY FACING INDICTMENT IN ARIZONA
Taiwan’s air force threatened away the Chinese aircraft and deployed missiles to monitor them, the ministry explained, using standard wording for how it reacts to such actions.
“Airborne alert sorties had been tasked, radio warnings issued, and air defense missile systems deployed to monitor the activity,” it said in a brief statement.
IS MCDONALD'S BECOMING THE NEW CHAMPION OF AFFORDABILITY?
There was no comment from China. In the past, China has stated it has been carrying out drills to defend the country’s independence and security.
MEET VICTORIA SHI: THE AI-BOT SPOKESWOMAN TAKING UKRAINE'S FOREIGN MINISTRY BY STORM
Beijing has watched with increasing concern the growing U.S. support for democratic Taiwan, particularly throughout former President Donald Trump’s administration that left office on Wednesday.
Last year through visits by senior U.S. officials to Taipei Chinese aircraft briefly crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which usually serves as an unofficial buffer.
MOUNTING PRESSURE: OVER 300 ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVISTS DEMAND REGULATIONS FOR ISRAEL IN UPCOMING OLYMPICS
The flight by the Chinese bombers and fighters on Saturday came just days after President Joe Biden assumed the U.S. presidency.
Emily Horne, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, announced that the U.S. commitment to Taiwan was “rock-solid” after the island’s de facto ambassador in Washington, Hsiao Bi-khim, attended Biden’s swearing-in on Wednesday.
SPOILER ALERT: MSNBC HOSTS WARN THAT CAMPUS PROTESTS MIGHT PAVE THE WAY FOR TRUMP'S COMEBACK
The matter attracted many comments on social media, one user tweeted in response that “They own Joe and Hunter. He can do nothing and they know it. Feel sorry for the people of Taiwan.”
Another wrote that “The world will be crying for Donald Trump to come back soon. He won the election by a landslide!”
another Twitter user commented “started! Let's watch Taiwan being invaded and no country will say anything! China doesn't let it!”
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
