New Delhi (NVI): China, which keeps an eye on Taiwan and opposes any official contact with it, today deliberately conducted an air exercise near the island, in a bid to intimidate it’s government on a day when a senior US official held talks in Taipei.
According to CNA, multiple Chinese warplanes crossed the sensitive mid-line of Taiwan, in an escalation of tensions between the two countries. Taiwan’s Air Force, which was ready for the move, also scrambled its jets in the air and gave warnings to the Chinese aircraft.
US Undersecretary for Economic Affairs Keith Krach arrived in Taipei yesterday for a three-day visit. China had earlier announced that it would conduct combat drills near the Taiwan Strait. Pertinent to mention here that Beijing denounces the Taiwan Strait and claims it as a part of its territory.
Four J-10 single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft, four J-11 twin-engine jet fighters, and a number of J-16 tandem-seat twinjet multi-role strike fighters crossed the median line, the Taiwan Air Force said in a report.
Another two Xian H-6 strategic bombers accompanied by a number of J-16s entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, reports CNA.
A report by Taiwan’s Air force said that it broadcast warnings to the Chinese military aircraft to leave, and activated its air defense missile system tracking function.
The Chinese exercise was conducted by PLA’s Eastern Theater Command. China has also conducted the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently to test the level of integration of its different forces and weapons systems, according to PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesman Zhang Chunhui.
Meanwhile, apprehending “invasion” by China, Taiwan’s military has also been conducting exercises to test their capabilities in the near shore zones and to neutralise enemy forces on beaches and in other landing areas.
Meanwhile, apprehending “invasion” by China, Taiwan’s military has also been conducting exercises to test their capabilities in the near shore zones and to neutralise enemy forces on beaches and in other landing areas.
China has claimed that US is trying to control Beijing through Taiwan. The latest development also comes amid US-China tensions over a lingering trade war and coronavirus pandemic that originated the Chinese province of Wuhan.
Pertinent to mention here that Washington is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and most important international support.
-ARK
