China has sent a record number of warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday and Saturday, Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan said on Saturday night.
Taiwan has reported a total of 39 Chinese military aircraft entering the air defense identification zone on Saturday, one more than the 38 warplanes it spotted on Friday.
The 38 and 39 planes respectively are the highest number of incursions Taiwan has reported, marking Beijing’s biggest intrusion to date.
The planes, which included nuclear-capable bombers, entered in two waves, according to the defence ministry.
Taiwan’s jets were scrambled and missile systems were deployed in response.
Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state, but China sees democratic Taiwan as a separatist province.
Read more: India Clears Purchase of Russian Combat Jets Worth $2.43 Billion Amid Border Tensions With China
For more than a year, Taiwan has been protesting about Chinese air force sorties near the island.
“China has engaged in indiscriminate military aggression, endangering regional peace,” Taiwanese Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang told reporters on Saturday.
The Chinese government, which is commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, has yet to make a public statement.
However, it has previously stated that such flights are necessary to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty and to target “collusion” between Taiwan and the United States.
In a statement, Taiwan’s defence ministry stated 25 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) planes flew near the Pratas Islands atoll during daylight hours in the south-western area of the air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
In the interest of national security, an air defence identification zone is a region outside of a country’s territory and national airspace where foreign aircraft are still identified, monitored, and controlled.
It is self-declared and remains international airspace in general.
On Friday evening, a second wave of 13 Chinese aircraft arrived in the same region. They flew over the Taiwanese-Philippine waterway.
The Chinese aircraft included four H-6 bombers, which can carry nuclear bombs, as well as an anti-submarine aircraft, according to the ministry.
Beijing frequently sends similar missions to express its dissatisfaction with Taiwanese remarks.
China and Taiwan
Why Both Have Poor Relations?
During the civil war broke out in 1940s China and Taiwan were divided, however, China is very clear that they will reclaim the separated island at any cost.
How is Taiwan governed?
After separation, Taiwan has its own democratically elected leaders, constitution to follow and own forces.
Who recognizes Taiwan?
Not many countries recognize Taiwan, however on the other hand rest of the world do recognize and even wanted to trade with China.
