Taipei, 8 June, 2023 (GNP): On Thursday, Taiwan activated its defense systems after incursion of 37 Chinese military aircrafts flying into the island’s air defense zone, according to the sources.
Some of the aircraft later flew into the western Pacific in Beijing’s most recent large-scale air incursion, the sources said.
Over the past three years, China, which sees democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has regularly flown its air force near the island without entering Taiwan’s airspace.
Also Read: China rebukes west over military moves in Taiwan Strait
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that starting at 5 a.m., it had detected 37 Chinese air force aircraft, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers and fighter jets J-11 and J-16, flying towards the southwest corner of its air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
Some Chinese aircraft traveled near Taiwan’s southeast before heading into the western Pacific to conduct “air surveillance and long-distance navigation training,” the ministry said in a statement.
It added that Taiwan sent its aircraft and ships to keep watch and also activated land-based missile systems.
However, China’s defense ministry did not give an immediate response to the comment.
Also Read: Taiwan condemns Chinese military drills over Taiwan Strait
China and Russia finished the second part of their joint air patrols over the western Pacific on Wednesday, following flights the day before over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, which raised worries about Japan’s national security.
Moreover, China conducted war exercises near Taiwan after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen visited the United States in April.
The Taiwan government denies China’s claims to sovereignty and asserts that only the island’s residents have the power to determine their future.
