33 Chinese Warplanes, Ships Head Toward Taiwan as US-China Talks Wrap

More than a dozen planes entered Taiwanese territory, its defense ministry said

Taiwan said Saturday that 33 Chinese warplanes and six navy vessels were detected around its territory amid talks between U.S. and Chinese officials.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army sent dozens of warplanes, including SU-30 fighters, toward Taiwan between 6 a.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday local time, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry.

The ministry said on X , formerly Twitter, that 13 of the Chinese warplanes “crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait” and entered Taiwanese territory.

Early Saturday morning, Senior U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on X that he concluded two days of meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok.

Sullivan said he met with Yi to follow up on the November meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping, which was held in an attempt to alleviate the years-long tensions between both countries.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said Sullivan’s meeting with Yi aims “to maintain strategic communication and responsibly manage the relationship,” according to the Associated Press .

The Chinese government recognizes Taiwan as a rebellious province and not an independent state. However, Taiwan has maintained its independence and has its own government separate from mainland China since 1949.

Under the “One China” policy, the United States doesn’t officially recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, but it has repeatedly vowed to defend it in case of Chinese aggression.