20 Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan's airspace, 14 cross median line
Aug 30, 2024
Taipei [Taiwan], August 30 : The Taiwan Ministry of Defense said on Friday that 20 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft were detected which included J-16 and KJ-500.
Of these, 14 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1829498105404051508
"Overall 20 #PLA aircraft in various types (including J-16, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 1630hr today. Out of which, 14 crossed the median line of the #Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ," the Defence ministry said in a post on X.
Earlier in the day, MND detected 25 Chinese PLA aircraft, along with seven PLAN vessels and two official ships around the country from 6 am Thursday up until 6 am on Friday.
Seventeen of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), Taiwan's MND said.
https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1829323154788852021
In a post on X, Taiwan's MND said, "25 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 17 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation."
This adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. Reportedly, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and military exercises near the island.
According to the Taiwan MoFA statement, China's continued use of military aircraft and warships to intrude into Taiwan and Japan's air defence identification zones and exclusive economic zones has increased regional tensions, according to a Taiwan News report.
Notably, Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.
