Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported five PRC ships approaching the island in 24 hours

The Taiwanese Armed Forces (AF) reported that five ships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) approached the island. Such information was published by the defense establishment on December 26 in social network X.

"Five PLA Navy ships operating around Taiwan were detected before 6:00 (01:00 Moscow time)," the Taiwanese Armed Forces said.

In addition, the statement said the Taiwanese government monitored the situation and responded appropriately. The agency noted that compared to previous days, no PLA Air Force aircraft were detected off the island's coast.

Earlier on Dec. 25, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said three aircraft and six Chinese PLA ships approached the island. The ministry was closely monitoring the developments.

Earlier on December 22, China's Foreign Ministry expressed strong dissatisfaction with US military aid to Taiwan and called on Washington to stop carrying out dangerous actions that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

On Dec. 20, it was reported that the U.S. State Department approved the possible sale of a military communications system and related equipment to Taipei's economic and cultural representative office in the United States at an estimated cost of $265 million. At the same time, current U.S. President Joe Biden ordered $571 million in military aid to Taiwan.

The conflict between China and Taiwan escalated after former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in August 2022. The Chinese side considers Taiwan its territory, so it views visits to the island by officials from other countries as support for Taiwan's independence.

Official relations between the PRC government and its island province broke down in 1949 when the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek, who lost in a civil war with the Communist Party of China, moved to Taiwan. Contacts between the island and mainland China resumed in the late 1980s. The U.S. openly supports the Taiwanese authorities.