At least 18 Chinese military aircraft yesterday flew into the nation’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on the second day of a US delegation’s visit, the Ministry of National Defense said, adding that the military responded by deploying an air defense missile system to monitor their activities.
A delegation led by US Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Keith Krach on Thursday started a three-day visit to Taiwan.
The ministry from Thursday started publicizing the actions of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Taiwan’s ADIZ on its Web site and Twitter.
Photo: Yu Tai-lang, Taipei Times
According to ministry reports, 18 PLA aircraft were spotted in the nation’s southwest, west and northwest ADIZ as of yesterday morning, including two H-6 bombers, and eight J-16, four J-11 and four J-10 fighters.
The J-11, J-10 and some of the J-16 fighters were seen crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, while the H-6 bombers and other J-16 fighters were spotted flying in the nation’s southwest ADIZ and north of the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands, 東沙群島), the ministry said.
The aircraft that crossed the median line were about 68km from Hsinchu, the military said.
Photo: Yu Tai-lang, Taipei Times
The ministry issued radio warnings, sent fighters and used air defense missile systems to track their movements, it added.
The military issued radio warnings at least 24 times and scrambled fighter jets more than 10 times, according to observations by military enthusiasts.
When asked about the matter at the Legislative Yuan yesterday, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said that China should take responsibility as a major world power and quickly contain the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in its country.
Photo courtesy of Ministry of National Defense
Instead, China frequently threatens Taiwan with military drills or by dispatching aircraft in the Strait, which shows the world who is the real “troublemaker” and lets Taiwanese know who is the real enemy, Su said.
Taiwanese, no matter their political affiliation, should unite in the face of a common enemy, he said.
Presidential Office spokesman Xavier Chang (張惇涵) called on China to restrain itself, adding that as a regional power, Beijing should work to maintain regional peace.
In response to questions about a PLA announcement yesterday morning that the PLA Eastern Theater Command would start combat exercises near the Taiwan Strait, the ministry said in a statement that it would continue to monitor PLA activities and safeguard national security.
The ministry also called on China to restrain its activities in the region and prevent an escalation of cross-strait tensions.
China’s military intimidation has drawn outrage from Taiwanese, and the tactics are condemned by popular public opinion here, the ministry added.
Additional reporting by Chou Hsiang-yun and Lin Chia-nan
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS