Taiwan says 11 Chinese jets crossed into its airspace

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Taiwan on Wednesday said that at least 11 Chinese jets that crossed into its airspace were given radio warnings.

In a statement, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said 11 aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday.

The ADIZ is a buffer zone outside a country’s airspace, where it has the right to ask incoming aircraft to identify themselves.

The ministry said the Chinese planes were given radio warnings and monitored by military patrol planes and air defense systems.

As the world focuses on the Russia-Ukraine war, observers are also closely watching China’s moves on Taiwan, which it calls a “breakaway province.”

Taipei, however, has insisted on its independence since 1949 and maintains diplomatic relations with at least 14 countries.

Tensions have been heightened since last October, when Beijing celebrated its anniversary, and in the days that followed, numerous Chinese warplanes flew into the ADIZ.

Hectic air activity across the Taiwan Strait has continued in recent months, with scores of Chinese jets entering the zone and keeping Taipei on edge.