Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported 16 Chinese military aircraft infringed the country’s air defense zone.
The Chinese military fleet that violated the Taiwan airspace included eight J-16s and four Su-30s fighter aircraft, two Y-8 ASW transport aircraft, and two KJ-500s airborne early warning and control aircraft.
16 PLA aircraft (J-16*8, SU-30*4, Y-8 ASW*2 and KJ-500 AEW&C*2) entered #Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ on October 3, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: https://t.co/j7k62hne0V pic.twitter.com/dz5emGj2d4
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. (@MoNDefense) October 3, 2021
Taiwan had also reported another wave of 39 Chinese military aircraft violating its national airspace on October 2, 2021, a record number to date.
19 PLA aircraft (J-16*12, SU-30*6 and KJ-500 AEW&C) entered #Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ on the night of October 2, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: https://t.co/Vl6bWi8Cem pic.twitter.com/6IK77Bd3wY
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. (@MoNDefense) October 2, 2021
The United States condemned what it described as “China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilizing, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability.”
“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan,” stated the United States Department of State on October 3, 2021.
Via arms contracts, the United States assisted Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability as China is known to send its military aircraft near Taiwan’s border regularly as a display of power and force.
Throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, over ten arms sales were concluded. In August 2020, Taiwan ordered 66 Lockheed Martin F-16V fighter jets, the latest variant of the best-seller, to modernize the Taiwan Air Force (ROCAF) fleet.
“We will continue to stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values and deepen our ties with democratic Taiwan,” added the United States in its statement.
The previous reports of China violating Taiwan’s airspace date back to September 24, 2021, when a fleet of 19 Chinese military aircraft reportedly violated Taiwan’s air defense zone.
