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- 28 Chinese aircraft, including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers, entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday
- It is the largest daily incursion since Chinese Air Force activities in Taiwan’s airspace started being reported last year
- Taiwanese combat aircraft were dispatched to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems were deployed to monitor them
- China previously justified such missions as necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty and to address “collusion” between Taipei and Washington
According to Taiwan’s government, a total of 28 Chinese aircraft, including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers, entered the island’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday, representing the largest reported incursion to date.
The news comes shortly after the G7 leaders released a joint statement on Sunday that accused China of a suite of issues and underscored the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said the latest mission involved 14 J-16 and six J-11 fighters, as well as four H-6 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Anti-submarine, electronic warfare and early warning aircraft were also included.
It was the largest daily incursion since the ministry started regularly reporting Chinese Air Force activities in Taiwan’s airspace last year, and broke the previous record of 25 aircraft reported on April 12.
The ministry also noted that Taiwanese combat aircraft were dispatched to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems were deployed to monitor them.
In the past, China has justified such missions as necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty and to address “collusion” between Taipei and Washington.
“In response to the growing PRC [People’s Republic of China] threat, we will continue deepening our unofficial security relationship to ensure Taiwan has sufficient capabilities to defend itself,” a senior US administration official told Reuters.
A Pentagon spokesperson added that China’s “increasing military activities conducted in the vicinity of Taiwan are destabilising and increase the risk of miscalculation.”
China describes Taiwan as its most sensitive territorial issue and a red line the United States should not cross. It has also never renounced the possible use of force to ensure eventual unification.
