Chinese aircraft in Taiwan’s air defence zone

Taiwan has deployed 29 Chinese fighters, including fighters, in its air defence zone following recent tensions and to warn of bombers flying south of the island and in the Pacific Ocean in the largest air strike since late May.

Taiwan, which China claims is its territory, has been complaining over the past two years about repeated Chinese air force missions near the democratically managed islands, mainly in the southwest of the Air Defense Identification Zone or ADIZ, near Taiwan.

The Pratas Islands controlled. Taiwan has defined China’s repeated military operations in the surrounding area as a “gray zone” war, aimed at repeatedly defeating and depleting Taiwanese forces and testing Taiwan’s response.

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China’s latest mission on Tuesday included 17 fighter jets, six H-6 bombers, electronic warfare, early warning, anti-submarine and tanks, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said. According to maps provided by the Ministry of Defense, some planes flew over the northeastern region of Pratas.

However, the bombers loaded electronic warfare and reconnaissance aircraft and flew to the Bashi Canal that separates Taiwan, the Philippines and the Pacific Ocean, then returned to China on the route they entered. Taiwan has sent fighters to warn Chinese aircraft and deploy and control missile systems, the defense ministry said in standard language.

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This is the largest airstrike since Taiwan announced on May 30 that 30 Chinese planes had landed in ADIZ. The biggest event of the year was January 23, which was attended by 39 planes. Previously, China did not immediately mention that these measures are measures to protect national sovereignty.

A US State Department spokeswoman told Reuters that Beijing must stop military, diplomatic and economic pressures and threats against Taiwan. China on Friday launched a third aircraft carrier, Fujian, named after the province opposite Taiwan.

The Chinese military announced last month that it was conducting a “conscious alert” training focused on Taiwan in response to the “flight” from the United States. This means that US President Joe Biden will change the US policy of “strategic ambiguity” towards Taiwan, which he said would be with a military withdrawal if China leaves the island and attacks after China angers China.

China is pressuring Taiwan to recognize its sovereignty. The Taipei government wants peace, but says it will defend itself in the event of an attack.

No shots were fired and no Chinese planes landed in Taiwan’s airspace, but ADIZ monitors and patrols Taiwan over large areas, giving it more time to respond to threats.