21 Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ as Nancy Pelosi visits the island

• Image Credit: Internet

• Aug 3, 2022 | Dhupali Das

Notably, Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory...

Digital Desk: At least 21 Chinese military planes flew into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday, during US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island. Officials in Taipei confirmed the development. Notably, Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory.

"21 PLA aircraft ... entered #Taiwan's southwest ADIZ on August 2, 2022, "The island's defence ministry said in a statement on Twitter. The ADIZ of Taiwan is distinct from its territorial airspace. However, it covers a larger region. China's air defence identification zone overlaps Taiwan's ADIZ.

Pelosi started her controversial trip to Taiwan on Tuesday. She landed on Tuesday evening despite stern warnings from China to the United States over her visit. She is the most prominent elected US official to visit the island in the past two decades. Notably, Pelosi's visit to the island was considered a significant provocation by China.

After arriving in Taiwan, Pelosi stated that her visit was to support the island's democracy. "Our delegation's visit to Taiwan honours America's unshakable commitment to supporting Taiwan's dynamic democracy," said the US House Speaker.

Meanwhile, the Chinese military declared that it was on a high and was ready to retaliate against the visit with targeted military strikes. China considers self-ruled Taiwan to be its territory and has pledged to conquer it one day.

Russia has also shown its support for China on this matter. Moscow declared that it was "completely in solidarity with China." Additionally, Russia referred to Pelosi's trip to Taiwan as an "absolute provocation." Prior to Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, who was the US House of Representatives speaker at the time, travelled to Taiwan.