The Chinese military has successfully intercepted a ballistic missile in flight, China’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement late Sunday. A Chinese statement clarified that the test was defensive in nature and was not intended as a threat to any nation, according to the Washington Times. The development comes as China becomes increasingly aggressive towards Taiwan, an independent island nation that China has long claimed as its own territory. China has sent numerous bombers and fighter jets to Taiwan’s air defense zone in recent months. While the United States maintains friendly relations with Taiwan, it has not explicitly promised to intervene in the event that China chooses to invade the country. US ARMY TO DEFEND TAIWAN “IF IT COMES TO IT”, Biden Says Senators Lindsey Graham, Bob Menendez, Richard Burr, Rob Portman and Ben Sasse and MP Ronny Jackson were received upon arrival in Taiwan on Thursday, April 14, 2022. (Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs) The United States has complicated relations with Taiwan, as it is its largest international supporter and supplier of weapons, while maintaining no formal diplomatic ties. The United States continues to comply with Taiwan’s relations law, which recognizes, but does not approve of, China’s claim to ownership of the island. CHINA STARTS MILITARY EXERCISES IN THE SEA OF SOUTH CHINA DURING BIDEN’S VISIT TO ASIA President Joe Biden has blurred the issue several times, however, with the White House having to repeatedly clarify its promises of support in Taiwan. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ying-wen announced that the country’s military had reached a “cooperation” agreement with the US National Guard on May 31. Chai made the announcement during a visit by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. “The US Department of Defense is now planning precautionary cooperation between the US National Guard and the Taiwanese defense forces,” Tsai said at the time. “We look forward to closer and deeper Taiwan-US cooperation on regional security issues.” CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION The direct cooperation between the US and Taiwanese troops would be just the last major demonstration of unity between the two governments. Six American MPs traveled to the island in April, the largest and highest-level U.S. delegation ever to visit the island.
