Taiwan denounces the incursion of 20 Chinese fighter jets into its territory

The government of Taiwan denounced this Friday that 20 Chinese planes entered its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), in what represents the highest caliber action of this nature since she began reporting them last year.

Taipei Defense Ministry says it deployed missiles to “monitor” the incursion, which took place in the southern region Air Exclusion Zone, and sent out radio warnings. He also said some of the planes flew along southern Taiwan and crossed the Bashi Channel, which separates the island from the Philippines.

The agency Reuters reported that the Beijing Armed Forces were conducting exercises simulating an operation against US ships that usually navigate the Bashi Canal. Among the planes detected, four nuclear-capable Xian H-6K bombers and 10 Shenyang J-16 fighter jets were identified.

According to the state agency CNA, the number of Chinese military aircraft incursions has increased in recent months. ANDIn October last year, at least 19 Chinese military planes entered the Taiwanese ADIZ while in September Chinese J-16 fighters crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait.

Tensions between Beijing and Taipei escalated dramatically during the tenure of former US President Donald Trump, who prioritized strengthening relations with Taiwan, including arms sales, despite the fact that in 1979, Washington broke off relations with Taipei, which became informal after recognizing the people. Republic.

Friday’s actions took place a few hours after Taipei signed its first agreement with the Joe Biden administration, which establishes a task force between the two coast guards. It’s a possible response to a recent Chinese law that allows its own coast guard to shoot at foreign vessels. The latest happened on January 24, when Taiwan reported the incursion of 13 fighter jets.

Taiwan has been considered a sovereign territory with its own government and political system under the name of the Republic of China since the end of the civil war between nationalists and communists in 1949, but Beijing maintains that it is a province rebel and insists that she return to what it is, called common homeland.

The Chinese regime says Taiwan is an inviolable part of China that must be claimed, by force if necessary, and opposes any diplomatic recognition of the democratic island. Regarding incursions, Beijing often maintains that they are aimed at showing its determination to defend its sovereignty.

After reestablishing control of Hong Kong, Beijing issued repeated warnings to Taipei with shows of force and attempts to prevent navigation through the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two territories.

Members of the US military have warned that a possible invasion of China is not particularly far in time. The commander of the Washiington forces in the region, Admiral Philip Davidson said in early March that this could happen “in the next six years.”

Admiral John Aquilino, named to succeed Davidson in the post, said Tuesday that for China, reclaiming Taiwan is the “number one priority” and that the eventual invasion is “much closer” than the timeline given by the current admiral.

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