Taipei [Taiwan], February 18 (ANI): The Ministry of National Defence (MND) has strongly asserted that the Taiwan Strait is not under the sovereignty of China, emphasising that the freedom of navigation exercised by like-minded countries proves its legal status.

The MND further criticised China's military actions against Taiwan and its neighbouring countries, saying that these actions only highlight China's role as the greatest threat to regional peace and stability.

Sharing a post on X on Monday, MND said, 'The Taiwan Strait is by no means under PRC sovereignty! Like-minded countries' freedom of navigation proves its legal status. #PLA military actions against #Taiwan and its neighbors only reaffirm that the PRC is the greatest threat to regional peace and stability.'

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1891396049824084137

Meanwhile, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Monday met Matt Pottinger, former Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States and Mark C Montgomery, Executive Director at US Cyberspace Solarium Commission for a discussion on the Taiwan-US partnership.

'Pleased to meet Matt Pottinger & @MarkCMontgomery for an in-depth discussion on the #Taiwan-#US partnership. With a commitment to peace through strength, Taiwan will enhance its security by bolstering defense & building resilient non-red supply chains with global partners,' Lai Ching-te wrote.

https://x.com/ChingteLai/status/1891412830995313055

Earlier on Monday, Taiwan reported heightened Chinese military activity with 41 aircraft, nine PLAN vessels and one official ship recorded operating around the island.

In a post on X, the MND wrote, '41 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 28 out of 41 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.'

The Taiwan-China conflict remained a longstanding geopolitical issue centred on Taiwan's sovereignty. While Taiwan functioned as a de facto independent state with its own government, military, and economy, Beijing considered it a breakaway province under the 'One China' policy.

Since the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan, China had used diplomatic, economic, and military measures to pressure Taiwan, which continued to assert its independence with strong domestic support. (ANI)