More than 40 Chinese military aircraft have been detected around the self-ruled island of Taiwan in a day, a record number that underscores Beijing’s growing campaign of intimidation and shows no sign of slowing down. Taipei’s defense ministry said today that the air sorties, most of which were fighter jets and midair refueling planes, crossed into the island’s southwest and southeast air defense identification zone (ADIZ). The ministry says it scrambled combat aircraft to monitor the planes while radar systems monitored their movements.
The ministry says the incursions were carried out by 10 Su-30 fighter jets, 12 J-10 fighter jets, four J-16 fighter jets, and two Y-20 aerial refueling aircraft, all part of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force. It also says the aircraft entered waters in the island’s southeastern ADIZ, a unilaterally imposed zone that does not overlap with sovereign airspace, as defined by international law. The ministry said that in addition to the fighter jets, the military aircraft included early warning, electronic warfare, and anti-submarine surveillance planes. The ministry says that the aircraft were conducting “long-range missions” and that the number of aircraft was the highest ever recorded in a single 24-hour period.
The latest round of flights comes as the island prepares for presidential elections in January. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party leans toward formal independence, which is anathema to the Chinese leadership and has led to increased diplomatic and military pressure from Beijing. The Chinese leadership is stepping up its military presence to discourage the DPP from pursuing policies that would be considered pro-independence and likely prompt a showdown.
Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as its territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary, and has ratcheted up military and diplomatic pressures on the island this year. It has stepped up military drills around the island, and its military has been sending jet fighters and ships closer to the shoreline in recent months.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has warned that continued Chinese harassment could lead to a sharp escalation in tensions and further worsen regional security. It has called on Beijing to stop such ‘destructive unilateral actions immediately.’
China has boosted military activities around the island in recent years, with frequent displays of force by Chinese fighters and warships. It has criticized any US efforts to reach out to the island, has reaffirmed its “One-China” policy, and warned it will retaliate against any moves toward formal independence. It has even used economic coercion against the island, blocking its exports of pineapples and other goods to the mainland. China has also been stepping up its military and naval exercises in the Taiwan Strait, as well as firing missiles into nearby waters. Its leaders have repeatedly threatened to take military action against the island. Despite the threat, the DPP has refused to give in to China’s ‘blackmail.’
