Taiwan’s defence ministry says it was forced to scramble jets after China sent in 19 jets including fighter planes as well as four H-6 bombers and an anti-submarine aircraft into it’s air defence zone on Sunday, September 5.
An air defence identification zone 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.
It is self-declared and technically remains international airspace.
Taiwan says 19 aircraft including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers entered its air defence identification zone (ADIZ), another intrusion by China’s air force near the island.
China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province, but Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state and receives millions in dollars of military funding from the US for self defense.
The defence ministry released a map showing a flight path north-east of the Pratas, closer to the Chinese coast than the Taiwanese coast.
Taiwan says it’s missile systems were deployed while combat aircraft werr dispatched to warn away the Chinese planes.
This is not the first time this year, that China is allegedly entering Taiwanese airspace.
In June, China sent 28 military jets into the ADIZ – the largest incursion reported by Taiwan to date.
On 24 January, 15 aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defence zone while on 12 April, Taiwan reported 25 jets.