Chinese Military Drones Double Up Against Taiwan while placing troops near Taiwan's strait.

China sent military drones over the waters between Taiwan and Japan's westernmost island on Friday, as Beijing continues to increase pressure on Taipei by mobilizing significant forces. The Joint Staff Office of Japan's Ministry of Defense reported the flight of two Chinese drones near its air defense identification zone (ADIZ). The two drones, whose types were not identified in the report, flew north along Taiwan's east coast via the "Yonaguni Trench" on Friday, August 23, 2024.
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Military vehicles carry Chinese made Wing Loong drones during a parade in Beijing. (Picture source: French MoD)

The waterway, less than 110 kilometers wide, between Taiwan and Japan's Yonaguni Island, is frequently used by Chinese military aircraft and ships for transits and operations, raising concerns in Japan. In response, Tokyo has strengthened the island's defense capabilities in recent years.

Taiwan is a self-governing island, but China considers it a separatist province. Beijing refuses to renounce its right to use force to resolve conflicts between the two sides of the strait. Taipei accuses China of continuous military coercion by sending air and naval forces around the island daily.

The United States closely monitors tensions in the areas around the Taiwan Strait. For the first time in Yonaguni, during the July 29 exercises, the U.S. Marine Corps deployed an advanced radar system capable of detecting various airborne threats, including drones.

The U.S. also sent the destroyer USS Ralph Johnson through the Taiwan Strait the day before the Chinese drone flights, demonstrating what the Navy called Washington's commitment to supporting Taiwan and not intimidating or coercing the island into giving up its rights and freedoms.

After crossing the waterway, the two military drones headed toward China's east coast. The Japanese Air Force dispatched its fighter jets in response to the drone flights, the Joint Staff added.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense confirmed the Japanese military's report on Saturday. A total of 38 Chinese military aircraft, including drones, flew over Taiwan's ADIZ in the 24 hours preceding 6 a.m. on Saturday. Meanwhile, 12 Chinese warships were detected operating around the island.

The Chinese drones took off from the southeast coast of the country and crossed the southern Taiwan Strait, which is 110 miles wide, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. They approached Keelung, a port city in northeastern Taiwan, at a distance of 42 nautical miles (48 miles).

The map shows the flight paths of the Chinese drones in two colors. The routes in red are provided by Taiwan's Ministry of Defense, and those from the Japanese military are displayed in dark red. China's Ministry of Defense has not commented on these drone movements. ( Picture source :  Japan, Taiwan MOD)