Digital Desk: On the same day Russia invaded Ukraine, Taiwan’s air force scrambled again on Thursday to warn away nine Chinese aircraft that breached its air defence zone, according to Taiwan’s defence ministry.
Over the last two years, Taiwan, which China claims its own territory, has complained of regular such operations by the Chinese air force, though the aircraft didn’t approach close to Taiwan.
The number of aircraft was significantly lower than the previous large-scale incursion, which comprised 39 Chinese planes on Jan. 23, and since then, such fly-bys have been irregular, with fewer aircraft.
As per the Ministry, the latest operation involved eight Chinese J-16 fighters and one Y-8 observation aircraft flying over an area to the northeast of Taiwan’s Pratas Islands near the South China Sea’s upper end.
The Ministry said that the Taiwanese fighter jets were dispatched to warn Chinese planes, and air defence missiles were deployed to “watch the actions,” which used conventional language to describe Taiwan’s response.
Reportedly, Taiwan has been following the Ukraine situation with bated breath, fearful that China could seize the opportunity to invade the island.
Even though Taipei has detected no extraordinary moves by the Chinese military, the administration has raised its alert level.
China has never renounced the use of force to annex Taiwan, and it often opposes US weaponry sales and other displays of support.
Earlier, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesman Tan Kefei stated that Taiwan was a “key issue” for China and that no external intervention would be tolerated.
“We ask the United States to recognize the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue and to refrain from intervening in China’s domestic affairs, and to stop playing with fire on the Taiwan issue,” Tan added.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration promised to devote more diplomatic and security resources to the Indo-Pacific area in a 12-page Indo-Pacific policy summary released.
According to the statement, Washington will cooperate with allies both inside and beyond the area to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwanese-Chinese strait.
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