Taiwan says it is capable of responding to repeated Chinese military missions

A top official said on Monday that Taiwan has the capability to respond to China’s military, which has recently ramped up missions near the self-governing island nation that Beijing claims as part of its territory.

“Their intention is to slowly exhaust, to let you know that we have this power,” Taiwan’s defense minister,  Chiu Kuo-cheng, told reporters, according to Reuters.

“Our national forces have shown that, while you may have this power, we have countermeasures,” Chiu added.

His comments came one day after Taiwan scrambled fighters in response to 27 Chinese air force planes entering its air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

For much of the past year, China has repeatedly sent military crafts into or near Taiwan’s ADIZ.

As Reuters reported, Chiu described the ongoing situation as “very serious” and said Taiwan would continue to analyze the Chinese missions.

Less than a week ago, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers traveled to Taiwan as part of a larger trip to several other Asian countries. China had sought to discourage the House members from visiting Taiwan, according to Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).

“When news of our trip broke yesterday, my office received a blunt message from the Chinese Embassy, telling me to call off the trip,” Slotkin said at the time. “But just as with other stops, we’re here to learn about the region and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to our hosts, the Taiwanese. I’m looking forward to an informative trip.”

Slotkin and Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Colin Allred (D-Texas), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) all met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during the trip. The Taiwanese leader called their visit a sign of support for the “democratic partnership” between the U.S. and Taiwan.