Categories: Business

Taiwan jets scramble as China air force enters air defence zone By Reuters

[ad_1]

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A soldier is seen at Makung Air Force Base in Taiwan’s offshore island of Penghu, September 22, 2020. REUTERS/Yimou Lee

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan’s air force scrambled on Friday to warn away 18 Chinese aircraft that entered its air defence zone, Taiwan’s defence ministry said, part of what is a regular pattern of incursions that has angered the government in Taipei.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, has complained of repeated such missions by Chinese aircraft, which have become a common occurrence over the past two years or so.

Taiwan is currently in a heighten state of alert due to fears China could use Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to make a similar military move on the island, though Taipei’s government has not reported any signs Beijing is about to attack.

The number of aircraft involved was well off the last large-scale incursion, 39 Chinese aircraft on Jan. 23, and since then, such fly-bys have been with far fewer aircraft.

The ministry said the latest mission included six Chinese J-11 and six J-16 fighters as well as two H-6 bombers.

There was no immediate comment from China’s Defence Ministry. China has described previous such missions as to defend the country’s sovereignty and to counter “collusion” with foreign forces – a veiled reference to U.S. support for Taiwan.

The bombers, accompanied by a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, flew to the south of Taiwan through the Bashi Channel which separates the island from the Philippines.

The other aircraft flew over an area to the northeast of the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands at the top end of the South China Sea, according to a ministry map.

Taiwanese fighters were sent up to warn the Chinese aircraft and air defence missiles were deployed to “monitor the activities”, the ministry said, using standard wording for how Taiwan describes its response.

No shots have been fired and the Chinese aircraft have not been flying in Taiwan’s air space, but in its Air Defence Identification Zone, a broader area Taiwan monitors and patrols that acts to give it more time to respond to any threats.

Japan this week reported eight Chinese naval vessels, including an aircraft carrier, passed between islands in Japan’s southern Okinawa chain, to the northeast of Taiwan.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and the Taiwan Strait remains a potentially dangerous military flashpoint.

[ad_2]
Source link
Admin

Recent Posts

Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Cabinets in Toronto

Hey there, Toronto homeowners! If you're diving into a kitchen renovation, one of the most…

5 hours ago

Kijangwin is the latest online video gaming provider

Kijangwin is your brand-new go-to destination for all things internet gaming. Whether you're an informal…

2 days ago

How to Style Trendy Clothes Effortlessly

Hey there, fashion enthusiasts! Are you ready to dive into the world of trendy clothes…

3 days ago

How to effectively recover your frozen/stolen funds from fraudulent platforms

Hey there! If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've found yourself in the…

3 days ago

Important things about Core 2 . 0 regarding Hemp Users

Hey there, hemp enthusiasts! If you've been on the hunt for the next big thing…

6 days ago

Exploring the Features and Benefits of Strio

Hey there! Have you ever found yourself tangled up in the world of communication and…

1 week ago