Taiwan Activates Defense Systems After Chinese Military Incursion

Taiwan activated its defense systems on Thursday after reporting 37 Chinese military aircraft flying into the island’s air defense zone, some of which then flew into the western Pacific. This is Beijing’s latest mass air incursion.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has regularly flown its air force into the skies near the island over the past three years. Taiwan’s defense ministry said that starting from 5 am it had detected 37 Chinese air force planes, including J-11 and J-16 fighters as well as nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, flying into the southwestern corner of its air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

37 Chinese Military Aircraft Fly into Taiwan’s Air Defence Zone

Some of the Chinese aircraft flew to Taiwan’s southeast and crossed into the western Pacific to perform “air surveillance and long-distance navigation training”. Taiwan sent its own aircraft and ships to keep watch and activated land-based missile systems.

China’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The situation is being closely monitored and more information is expected to be released in the coming days.