China Ramps Up Military Pressure on Taiwan Amid U.S.-China Talks

Recent talks between U.S. and Chinese officials underscore tension over Taiwan's status, as China increases military presence around the island.

China has increased military pressure on Taiwan, sending 33 military aircraft and six naval vessels towards the island, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks aimed at stabilizing U.S.-China relations, during which Sullivan reiterated the U.S. stance on maintaining the status quo of Taiwan's sovereignty.
China's military pressure on Taiwan comes during what senior administration officials have called 'a period of higher tension', following the recent election of Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Ching-te as Taiwan's president.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that 'Taiwan independence' posed the biggest risk to Sino-US ties, stating that Taiwan's recent election did not change the fact that the island is part of China.
Both sides agreed to keep regular contact, provide strategic guidance on bilateral relations, and promote exchanges between the U.S. and China in different areas and levels, including the launch of a joint working group on anti-drug cooperation and a dialogue mechanism on artificial intelligence.