China sent fighter jets to Taiwan after Tsai attended the US meeting

China sent fighter jets to Taiwan after Tsai attended the US meeting

China bans travel, imposes sanctions after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy meets Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

China has sent warships and several warplanes to Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese government.

The move follows a meeting between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in California last week. The Chinese military announced a three-day star "security alert" as a warning to Taiwan.

Eight warships and 42 aircraft were spotted near the self-governing island, 29 of which were flying between the lines that separate it from the mainland, according to Taiwanese security officials. said. These aircraft include Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-16 fighter jets.

In addition, the navy planned to have "fire drills" in Luoyuan Bay, Fujian Province, opposite Taiwan, according to an announcement from local naval officials. The ships were reportedly out of range during the firing, which will take place over the next two weeks.

The Liberation Army has not given any indication of whether it plans to repeat past incidents in which missiles were fired at sea. "This is a strong warning against collaboration and aggression between the Taiwan Liberation Army and external forces," the military said in a statement. The "joint military" exercise "defends national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"We condemn such senseless actions that have undermined regional security and stability," security officials said. It comes after the Chinese government imposed a travel ban and economic sanctions on American members and people involved in Tsai's meeting.

Taiwan's military said a missile defense system had been activated and air and sea patrols had been dispatched to track the Chinese aircraft. Although Taiwan and the land have trade and investment ties, they do not have official ties.

Taiwan separated from China after a civil war in 1949. The ruling communists said that democracy was being forced into the ground, by force if necessary.

China also said contact with foreign officials was encouraging Taiwanese people to seek independence, a step the ruling party said would lead to war. The United States does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but maintains diplomatic and commercial ties. Parliamentary visits to Taiwan have increased in recent years. In August, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan to meet with Tsai, and China responded with its biggest firefight in decades.