China has flown another 27 military planes into Taiwan’s airspace as tensions as around the South China Sea island continue to rise.
According to the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense, the Chinese military planes had entered the country’s Air Defense Identification Zone in the southwest earlier today.
They tweeted: ’27 PLA aircraft (KJ-500 AEW&C*2, Y-9 EW, H-6*5, Y-20 Aerial Refueling, J-10*6, J-11*4 and J-16*8) entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ on November 28, 2021.’
The latest move comes just days after China’s military carried out ‘combat readiness’ patrols in the direction of the Taiwan Strait as a U.S. Congressional delegation made a surprise visit to Taipei and offered support to the Chinese-claimed, democratically governed island.
The five U.S. House of Representatives members arrived in Taiwan on Friday for a two day trip. This is the second visit in less than a month by U.S. legislators to Taiwan.
China flew 27 military aircrafts over the Southwest Area of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense stated that Chinese military aircrafts entered the southwest region.
China’s military also announced patrols around the Taiwan Strait which divides Taiwan Island from its large neighbour, as it did with the previous visit.
People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command stated that Friday, they had “organised naval forces and airforces to continue combat ready police patrols towards the Taiwan Strait”.
“The appropriate actions are required to address the current situation at the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is part China’s territory. Our military is obligated to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China regularly denounces U.S. visits to Taiwan by its politicians. The foreign ministry of China stated that it has made a formal complaint about Washington’s latest congressional trip. It said playing the Taiwan card was “a losing hand”.
Tsai-Ing-wen, Taiwan’s President, met with the U.S. leader at his office on Friday. He praised Taiwan as an ‘force of good’ around the globe.
Madame President, my compliments and admiration go to your leadership. Mark Takano of the House Commitee on Veterans Affairs said that the relations between the two countries are stronger than they were in decades. His group has previously been to Japan and South Korea.
PLA J-16 (file picture) was one of several military planes used to fly into the zone.
PLA Y-9EW was also among the military planes that entered Taiwanese airspace (file photo).
Taiwanese Ministry of National stated that PLA H-6 was among those aircrafts seen in the region. (file photo).
“Our dedication to Taiwan remains strong, even as we have strengthened our ties. He added that Taiwan was a success story in democracy, reliable partner, and an inspiration for the rest of the world.
Although the United States does not have official ties to Taiwan like many other countries it is Taiwan’s main international backer as well as arms supplier.
Nancy Mace (Congresswoman) is part of this delegation. She tweeted that China’s Washington Embassy ‘demanded’ we cancel the trip when the news broke.
She added “We didn’t,” and uploaded a photo of her outside of the U.S. Air Force plane that took her to Taipei with the caption “Just touched down at the Republic of Taiwan”, a term popularized by those who support the island’s official independence.
China flew 52 airplanes in Taiwan’s airspace last October. It was its largest ever mission.
Taipei claimed that 34 J-16 fighters were accompanying 12 H-6 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, Su-30 jets, and other military aircraft into the ‘air defense identification zone.
This was just weeks after China had flown a total of 95 aircraft to the island on five different missions. The largest mission involved 25 planes.
Last month Chinese state media also issued threats to the island and its allies, asking ‘whether Australia is willing to accompany Taiwan… to become cannon fodder’ after its foreign minister reached out for help preparing his defences.
China’s Global Times, an official mouthpiece for state media, sent the tweet in response to Joseph Wu, minister of defence, who requested that Australia and other countries ‘like-minded,’ share security intelligence.
Hu Xijin, Global Times’ editor, tweeted separately that Taiwan’s separatist authorities would fall ‘only a matter time’.
A newspaper editorial stated then that, unlike traditional parades’ guard of honours, the planes heading towards Taiwan are fighting forces and not aimed at combat.
The newspaper stated that the increase in aircraft numbers was a sign of the PLA Air Force’s operational capability. It also said: “It’s a clear declaration of China’s sovereignty on the island.”
According to the editorial, these operations will familiarize pilots with battlefield conditions so they can fight like veterans ‘once the order is given’.
“There are no uncertainties about the future for the Taiwan Straits.
The Chinese mainland is in control of how and when Taiwan will be resolved.