The Chinese continue to invade the skies of Taipei

(To Stephen Peverati)
04/02/21

Seven military aircraft from the People's Liberation Army Air Force and a US reconnaissance plane entered Taiwan's airspace on Sunday, the island's defense ministry said, as tensions continue to rise across the strait. It was five PLA aircraft - a reconnaissance aircraft Y-8 (next photo), two fighters J-10 and two bombers J-11 (opening photo) - they were located near the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea followed a few hours later by a couple of J-11 always in the same contested area.

The Taipei Ministry of Defense also said that a US reconnaissance plane was operating in the same portion of the airspace at the same time as the PLAAF's five aircraft, but did not provide further details. This is the first time that the ministry has mentioned the presence of US military aircraft since mid-September, when it began providing almost daily reports on Chinese military activities in its air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

The ADIZ are areas monitored by early warning systems in which the aircraft entering them are required to comply with certain procedures and in the event of non-compliance the air defense intervention is triggered. Any aircraft entering this area are assumed to report route and purpose to the "host" nation, although the areas are classified as international airspace and pilots are not legally required to make such notification.

The Taiwanese military on Sunday said it had sent radio signals to PLAAF planes and air defense missile systems were deployed to monitor their activities. Recall that Taiwan's air defense is made up of aircraft: by locals F-CK-1C, Mirage 2000-5Ei ed F 16 (66 F -16C / D Block 70 in order and updating of the fleet F-16AM to the standard F 16V), while as regards the missile defense they are present in organic systems MIM-104F (PAC-3), the local Sky Bow III and of MIM 23 under disposal.

The latest foray came as Beijing increased pressure on Taiwan's self-government, sending more fighter jets across the midline that divides the Taiwan Strait.

Last week, the United States Indo-Pacific Command declared that a USS Theodore Roosevelt (photo) entered the South China Sea to carry out "maritime security operations", a move seen as "a show of muscle" by Beijing, which responded with a four-day military drill.

Beijing sees Taiwan as a part of its territory to be brought under the control of mainland China, by force if necessary. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday that PLAAF activities in the Taiwan Strait have been "a severe response to the interference of external forces and to the provocations of the independence forces of Taiwan".

The new US administration has urged Beijing to end its military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan after Taipei military forces reported one of the PLAAF's largest forays into its airspace - involving six J-10, four J-16Two About 30MKK, two antisubmarine aircraft Y-8GX6 and a reconnaissance plane Y-8GX3 - last January 23.

Under former President Donald Trump, Washington elevated relations with Taiwan by approving billions of dollars worth of arms sales - including F-16, artillery systems HIMARS, anti-ship missiles AGM-84H (SLAM-ER) and pod MS-110 - and by sending high-level officials to the island, which observers say could complicate the Chinese policy of the new US government.

In a virtual event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations last week, US officials and military including former Pentagon policy chief Michele Flournoy and David Petraeus, former US central command chief, warned that Taiwan could become a critical point between the two largest economies in the world.

Photo: Taiwan MoD / US Navy