After a record number of Chinese military jets in Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) had penetrated, the Ministry of Defense in Taipei said that 16 Chinese aircraft had again put air defense to the test on Sunday.
On Saturday there were a total of 39 – more than ever before in one day. On Friday, the Chinese national holiday, 38 were counted. With these actions, Beijing is increasing the pressure on the USA and the government in Taipei, which under President Tai Ing-wen is distancing itself from Beijing. The approach met with criticism in Taipei and Washington.
The US expressed “very concerned” on Sunday. The intrusion of Chinese military aircraft into the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) Taiwan is “destabilizing, risking miscalculations and undermining peace and stability in the region,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price in a statement in Washington.
He spoke of “provocative military activities” and called on Beijing to exert military, diplomatic and economic pressure Taiwan adjust. According to him, the US is fully behind it Taiwan. “We have an ongoing interest in cross-strait peace and stability.” The US would Taiwan further support to maintain sufficient self-defense skills. “The commitment to the US Taiwan is rock solid. “
The communist leadership of China sees it as democratic today Taiwan, which split off from the mainland in 1949, as an “inseparable” part of the People’s Republic, although it was never part of it. It threatens a forcible conquest in order to achieve “reunification”. The US has defense capabilities Taiwan obliged and deliver weapons to the island republic.
The military aircraft on Sunday again included J-16 and Su-30 fighter jets, as well as early warning aircraft and transport aircraft.
