Days after island leader called mainland a ‘foreign hostile force’, Taiwan reported 59 PLA aircraft and 9 naval vessels nearby.
Beijing confirmed the People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a "combat readiness patrol and joint exercise" near Taiwan last week after Taiwan reported the presence of 59 PLA aircraft and 9 naval vessels. The drill, conducted by the PLA's Eastern Theatre Command, was described as a "punishment" for "Taiwan independence" forces and a warning to "external interference forces." The exercise followed Taiwan's leader referring to Beijing as a "hostile foreign force."
