Taiwan reports China's most significant incursion yet to an air defence zone

January 02, 2023: -On Monday, Seventy-one Chinese air force aircraft, which include fighter jets and drones, entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone in the previous 24 hours, the island’s administration said, the most significant reported incursion to date.

Of the aircraft, 43 are crossing the Taiwan Strait’s median line, an unofficial buffer between the two sides within the defence zone. In a report, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry stated that Beijing keeps going on with military activities close to the Chinese-claimed island.

Taiwan’s official Central News Agency added that it was the most significant Chinese air force incursion. Hence there was no alarm on the island, which is noticed a steady increase in Chinese pressure in recent years.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, added that it had conducted “strike drills” in the sea and airspace around Taiwan in response to what it stated was provocation from the democratically governing island and the United States.

Taiwan, which firmly rejects China’s sovereignty claims, stated the drills showed Beijing it destroys regional peace and which tries to intimidate Taiwan’s people.

The office of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen stated that Tsai would call a high-level national security meeting on Tuesday to discuss reinforcing the island’s civil defence system after a press conference on new measures.

The statement provided no details, but the defence ministry added that it was considering extending compulsory military beyond four months, as the war in Ukraine and increasing tensions with Beijing renewed discussion about how to answer to Chinese military pressure.

“The more preparations we make, the less rash aggression attempts will occur. The more united we become, the stronger and safer Taiwan will become,” Tsai told a military ceremony.

During the latest incursion, many Chinese planes and fighter jets briefly struck the median line in the sensitive Taiwan Strait before coming back to China, according to a map given by Taiwan’s defence ministry. Seven Chinese navy vessels were detected near Taiwan, the ministry said.

According to the report, China’s military sent early warning, electronic warfare and antisubmarine aircraft, and drones into Taiwan’s southern air defence identification zone, or ADIZ, detailing Chinese activities near Taiwan for more than 24 hours to 6 am.

Taipei has repeatedly complained of missions by the Chinese air force over the previous two years, often in southern places of its ADIZ.

The ministry stated that Taiwan sent unspecified combat aircraft warning away the Chinese planes while missile systems were monitoring their flight, using standard wording for its answer.

China has been putting diplomatic, military and economic pressure on the self-governed island, accepting Beijing’s rule in recent years. Taiwan’s government said it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked.