37 Chinese warplanes enter Taiwanese ADIZ: MoD
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The Taiwanese-proclaimed Air Defense Identification Zone surpasses the island's airspace and even inter-laps with the Chinese Air Defense Identification Zone.
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In this undated file photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of Defense, a Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location (Taiwan Ministry of Defense via AP, File)
The Taiwanese defense ministry reported that more than 30 Chinese warplanes entered the island's "defense zone" over a duration of six hours.
The ministry's spokesman Sun Li-fang announced that since 5 am local time "a total of 37 Chinese military aircraft" entered the Taiwanese air defense identification zone from the Southwest.
"Some continued... towards the Western Pacific for long-range reconnaissance training."
The Taiwanese-proclaimed Air Defense Identification Zone surpasses the island's airspace and even inter-laps with the Chinese Air Defense Identification Zone.
The Chinese aerial exercises come after the US, Japan, and the Philipines completed their first-ever joint coastguard drills in the South China Sea.
April 9 marked the largest number of Chinese aircraft entering the Taiwanese air defense: employing up to 45 aircrafts in a drill simulating strikes on Taiwan.
China launched military drills around Taiwan in a stern warning to the Taiwanese government following a meeting between the island's leader and the US House speaker. The military drills which were dubbed Operation United Sharp Sword lasted for 3 days and included rehearsals on an encirclement of the Island off the coast of China.
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Last week, a spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army PLA said that the United States and Canada are destabilizing the South China Sea region and are deliberately inciting risks and provocations.
The PLA's statements come after a Chinese warship was around 130 meters away from hitting the American destroyer USS Chung-Hoon during a joint mission of the US and Canadian Navy that were sailing through the Taiwan Strait.
Read more: US, Canadian warships hold rare 'joint mission' across Taiwan Strait
The crossing comes after China repeatedly decried the "illegal intrusion" of US warships into waters it claims in the South China Sea.
The Chinese army will always maintain high alert levels and carry out the necessary measures to resolutely respond to all threats and protect national sovereignty, security, and peace and stability in the region, the PLA spokesperson warned.
