According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, more than 30 Chinese aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defence zone during the course of nearly six hours. This is a notable increase in the number of military incursions by China in a single day. 37 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defence zone, some of which continued into the western Pacific, prompting Taiwan to activate its defence systems. China has declared its goal to retake Taiwan, including by using force, and believes that Taiwan belongs to its territory. China’s aircraft intrusions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone have increased, with nearly three times as many flights in 2022 as in 2021.
“Some continued… towards the Western Pacific for long-range reconnaissance training,” Sun said at around 11 am.
According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, it spotted 37 Chinese air force aircraft, including fighters and bombers with nuclear weapons, entering the southwest corner of its air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Thursday in a shorter amount of time. Some of these planes continued on to Taiwan’s southeast and entered the western Pacific to conduct training missions. As it closely monitored the situation, Taiwan replied by deploying its own planes, ships, and land-based missile systems. According to analysts, China’s escalating incursions are a component of a larger plan to put pressure on Taiwan.