A0 minus 71 Chinese Air Force planes and 7 ships have invaded Taiwan’s Defense Identification Zone in the past 24 hours, the largest incursion on record so far this year, according to the island’s government.
According to Taiwan’s MND (Ministry of National Defense), 47 aircraft also crossed the Taiwan Strait centerline and entered southwestern Adiz (Air Defense Identification Zone). The attacks took place from 6 a.m. Sunday (12/25/2022) to 6 a.m. Monday (12/26). The information comes from the Taiwan Central News Agency.
The aircraft included 12 Shenyang J11 and 6 Sukhoi Su30 fighters, 1 CASC Rainbow CH4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), 6 Chengdu J10 and 18 J16 fighters, a Shaanxi Y8 EW, 1 Y8 ASW, 1 KJ500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and 1 Guizhou WZ7 Soaring Dragon UAV, according to the ministry.
The attacks on the island began after United States President Joe Biden sanctioned the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) of 2023 last Friday (December 23). The text provides for a loan of up to $10 billion over 5 years to fund arms and military equipment for the island.
China’s PLA (People’s Liberation Army) said Sunday (December 25) that it had conducted an “assault exercise” and that it was “a determined response to the current provocation between the US and Taiwan.”
The MND said in a statement that the Chinese military activities are intimidation and psychological warfare aimed at manipulating public opinion in Taiwan.
Located 2,103 km from China, Taiwan has had its own administration for over 70 years, but the Chinese government claims the island as part of its territory.