Beijing: Taiwan on Tuesday said that nearly 30 Chinese warplanes breached its air defence zone, BBC reported.
Taiwanese authorities said that they deployed their own fighter jets to warn off the Chinese incursions into its air defence zone. The incident is the biggest Chinese incursion since January.
The Chinese action came days after US President Joe Biden warned China against invading Taiwan, and on the same day as a US official visited the island to discuss security with Taiwanese leaders.
China has ratcheted up the frequency of its air missions in recent months, claiming they are training drills, angering Taiwan and increasing tension in the region.
The Chinese aircraft flew in an area to the northeast of the Pratas Islands that is part of the Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ), but did not cross over into Taiwan’s airspace itself, which would have been regarded as an act of hostility.
An ADIZ is an area outside of a country’s territory and national airspace but where foreign aircraft are still identified, monitored, and controlled in the interest of national security. It is self-declared and technically remains international airspace.
Taiwan has been reporting for more than a year that Chinese aircraft have been flying into its ADIZ, calling it “grey zone” warfare aimed at testing their military response and wearing them out.
Analysts have previously said the incursions were a warning against Taiwan’s government from moving towards a formal declaration of independence.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, which it can take by force if necessary.
