MILITARY
China flies 19 warplanes into Taiwan airspace
March 1, 2023 - Taiwan says 19 Chinese fighter jets entered its air defence zone in 24 hours, in what Taipei views as regular harassment by Beijing.
The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan says it has tracked multiple Chinese air force warplanes in its air defence zone in the past 24 hours.
The ministry said 19 Chengdu J-10 fighter jets flew into the southwestern corner of the island’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) – part of what it calls regular harassment by Beijing.
The incursions happened after the United States flew a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane along the Taiwan Straight on Feb 27, enraging China who dispute the passage is in international waters.
China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, believes its activities in the area are justified as it seeks to posture to the U.S. against colluding with Taiwan.
The democratically elected Taiwanese government warns the island will defend itself if attacked and that only the Taiwanese people can decide their own future.