Taiwan scrambles air force after Chinese air and sea patrol

Ten Chinese planes flew over the centerline of the Taiwan Strait on Sunday as tensions continue to rise in the region.

Taiwan sent fighter jets, ships and land-based missile systems to monitor Chinese planes on Sunday after it spotted 10 Chinese fighter jets crossing the sensitive median line that separates the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The island’s defense ministry said four Chinese warships were also conducting combat patrols.

This is the second time in less than a week that Taiwan has reported renewed Chinese military activity after 37 Chinese military aircraft flew into the island’s air defense zone, some of which flew into the Western Pacific on Thursday.

China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has regularly launched its air force near the island over the past three years. However, they did not enter Taiwan’s territorial airspace.

Twenty-four Chinese aircraft detected by Taiwan

In a brief statement, Taiwan’s defense ministry said it detected 24 Chinese Air Force aircraft, including J-10, J-11, J-16 and Su-30 fighters, at 2:00 pm (06:00 GMT) on Sunday. as well as H-6 bombers.

It did not specify where the plane was flying, but said 10 had crossed the centerline of the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, and had previously served as an unofficial barrier, which China does not acknowledge.

Four Chinese naval vessels were also engaged in “joint combat readiness patrols,” the ministry added without giving details.

China’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It has not commented on Thursday’s flights.

Escalating tensions

China has previously said such missions are designed to protect the country’s sovereignty and aim at “collusion” between Taiwan and the United States, the island’s main international financier and arms seller.

In April, China held war games around Taiwan following a trip to the US by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Taiwan’s government rejects China’s claims of sovereignty, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.

China has never refrained from using force to control Taiwan, which is slated for presidential and parliamentary elections in January.

In a Sunday video address to supporters on the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands close to China’s coast, Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai said he would do his best to “stabilize the peaceful status quo in the Taiwan Strait” if he wins the presidency. campaign office said.

Lai is running as the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Tsai can no longer run due to term limits.

Tsai has repeatedly offered talks with China but was turned down because Beijing considers her and her party to be separatists.

Laura Rosenberger, president of the American Institute in Taiwan, which manages the unofficial relationship between Washington and Taipei, visited Taiwan last week and met with all three presidential candidates.