presidency.Įmily Horne, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, said the U.S. The flight by the Chinese bombers and fighters on Saturday came just days after Joe Biden assumed the U.S.

officials to Taipei Chinese aircraft briefly crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which normally serves as an unofficial buffer. support for democratic Taiwan, especially during Donald Trump's administration which left office on Wednesday. In the past China has said it has been carrying out exercises to defend the country's sovereignty and security.īeijing has watched with growing concern increasing U.S. There was no immediate comment from China. 'Airborne alert sorties had been tasked, radio warnings issued and air defence missile systems deployed to monitor the activity,' it said in a brief statement. Taiwan's air force warned away the Chinese aircraft and deployed missiles to monitor them, the ministry added, using standard wording for how it responds to such activities. The presence of so many Chinese combat aircraft on this mission - Taiwan said it was made up of eight nuclear-capable H-6K bombers and four J-16 fighter jets - is unusual.Ī map provided by Taiwan's Defence Ministry showed that the Chinese aircraft, which also included a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, flew over the same waters where the most recent Chinese missions have been taking place near the Pratas Islands, though still well away from mainland Taiwan. However, they have generally consisted of just one or two reconnaissance aircraft. Monday's incursion took place as US senator Tammy Duckworth arrived in Taipei on an unannounced visit to discuss matters of regional security and trade with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen.China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has conducted almost daily flights over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea in recent months. His words appeared to mark a shift from the US' longstanding policy of 'strategic ambiguity' on Taiwan, which allowed the US to remain deliberately vague about its response in such a situation.Ĭhina's military said last week it had recently conducted an exercise around Taiwan as a 'solemn warning' against its 'collusion' with the United States. He said China was 'already flirting with danger right now by flying so close' to Taiwan, and issued his strongest warning to China yet, saying the US would be willing to respond militarily if Beijing were to invade the island.

Taiwan has been reporting for more than a year that Chinese aircraft have been flying into its ADIZ, calling it 'grey zone' warfare aimed at testing their military response and wearing them out.Īnalysts have previously said the incursions were a warning against Taiwan's government from moving towards a formal declaration of independence.īeijing has said in the past that the exercises were geared to protect its sovereignty.īiden referred to the air incursions during his visit to Asia that concluded last week - his first visit to the region as president. It is self-declared and technically remains international airspace. The aircraft flew in an area to the northeast of the Pratas Islands that is part of the Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), according to a map the ministry provided.īut the planes did not cross over into Taiwan's airspace itself, which would have been regarded as an act of hostility.Īn ADIZ is an area outside of a country's territory and national airspace but where foreign aircraft are still identified, monitored, and controlled in the interest of national security. The latest incident included 22 fighters, as well as electronic warfare, early warning and antisubmarine aircraft, Taiwan's defence ministry said. Such moves have angered Taiwan and increased tensions in the region.Ĭhina sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, which it can take by force if necessary. It came days after US President Joe Biden warned China against invading Taiwan, and on the same day as a US official visited the island to discuss security with leaders.Ĭhina has ratcheted up the frequency of its air missions in recent months, claiming they are training drills. 2, (Winter 2002/03) References Taiwan Air Defense Assessment Defense. The incident on Monday marked the biggest incursion since January. Air Base Defense: China's Missile Attacks and Taiwan's Defensive Responses by Ming-Yen Tsai Taiwan Defense Affairs vol. Taiwanese F16 aircraft prepare to take part in a drill aimed at being ready to meet any incursion into their air defence identification zone.

Taiwan air defense zone map