22 Chinese fighter jets cross Taiwan Strait 'median line': Taipei

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Aug 2022 19:49

As part of the extensive drills China is conducting in the vicinity of Taiwan, the People's Liberation Army Air Force flew 22 jets over Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's provocative trip.

J-20 stealth fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army

In its most recent briefing on the extensive military drills carried out by China's military, Taipei reported that 22 fighter jets crossed the "median line" and flew over the Taiwan Strait, on Thursday.

According to Taipei, "air defense missile systems" were deployed to monitor the planes and radio alerts were transmitted.

In 1955, Taiwan Strait observed a code of conduct known as the "median line" which served to diminish the risk of accidents between China and Taiwan despite having espoused a One China Policy on Taiwan which considered the strait part of the exclusive economic zone of One China.

The People's Liberation Army's largest-ever military exercises encircling Taiwan kicked off Thursday, August 4, after a visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The exercises are taking place in various zones encircling Taiwan, including some within 20 kilometers of the island's shore, and are set to conclude at midday on Sunday.

Earlier today, Chinese forces fired "multiple" ballistic missiles into waters around Taiwan during Thursday's military drills, according to Taipei, which condemned what it described as "irrational actions that undermine regional peace."

"The Ministry of National Defense stated that the Chinese Communist Party fired multiple Dongfeng series ballistic missiles into the surrounding waters of northeastern and southwestern Taiwan from approximately 13:56 this afternoon," Taipei claimed n a brief statement.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said, on Thursday, that the Chinese military drills off the coast of Taiwan were a warning to separatists but will not harm those who oppose the island's independence.

"China's actions are a warning to provocateurs and are directed against the pro-Taiwan independence separatist forces, our military operations have nothing to do with those who do not support Taiwan independence and will not harm them in any way," the spokesperson added.

Taiwan's military has not confirmed where the missiles landed or whether they flew over the island.

The People's Liberation Army of China also confirmed the launch of missiles.