Taiwan’s air force has again scrambled to warn off approaching Chinese jets. The move created further tensions between China and Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Monday that Chinese J-11 fighters and KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft flew into the waters southwest of Taiwan for night-time exercises, and came close to Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone.
“After our air reconnaissance and patrol aircraft responded appropriately, and broadcast (an order) to drive them away, the Communist aircraft flew away from our Air Defence Identification Zone”, the ministry said.
Prior to the latest incident, Taiwan has blamed China for stepping up its drills near to the island, instead of focusing its efforts on combating the spread of the new coronavirus. In February, during a Taiwanese public holiday, a Chinese Xi’an H-6 strategic bomber was seen close to the island’s southwest coast.
China has insisted that the drills are intended to protect its sovereignty and send a warning that it will not tolerate any moves towards formal independence for Taiwan.
There was no immediate comment from China’s military on the latest drills.
Taiwan scrambles air force to ward off Chinese jets
EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
A C-130 military transport plane of the Taiwanese Air Force taxis at Songshan Airport after a military unloading and loading procedure in Taipei, Taiwan, 17 December 2015. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry on 17 December welcomed the US governmen approving a 1.83 billion US dollar arms sale to Taipei, the first in four years. The ministry said the arms sale shows the US has honored its commitment to Taiwan security in line with the Taiwan Relations Act.'The arms sale will not hinder development of cross-Straits ties, but instead, will help Taiwan maintain cross-Straits peace and stability, and give Taiwan more confidence in dialogue with mainland China,' the statement said. Shortly before Washington's announcement, China warned the US against the arms sale, saying that 'Beijing is firmly opposed to any country - in any form or under any excuse - exporting weapons, weapon equipment or technology to Taiwan. This position is consistent, clear and firm.'
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