Taiwan reports China flew over 53 military aircraft around island
Date
12/11/2024 7:41:29 AM
(MENAFN) Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported that China flew at least 53 military aircraft around the island on Wednesday, further escalating tensions in the region. According to a ministry statement, Taiwan detected 53 aircraft and 11 warships from the People’s Liberation army (PLA), as well as eight additional vessels operating near Taiwan.
Of the 53 aircraft, 23 crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zones (ADIZ). Taiwan highlighted that China does not recognize the median line or the ADIZ, which are considered informal boundaries meant to reduce military confrontations.
This latest military activity coincided with China imposing airspace restrictions over waters on its eastern side, which Taiwan claimed marked the deployment of the largest naval fleet in the surrounding waters since 1996. Beijing has not provided a comment on these allegations.
Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, criticized Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for its “attempt to seek ‘Taiwan independence’ through military means” by purchasing arms from the U.S. Zhu dismissed Taiwan’s concerns about Beijing’s military actions, calling them “a fallacy and entirely misleading.” She also likened Taiwan’s military pursuits to “moths flying into a flame,” warning that they would lead to Taiwan’s own downfall.
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