Chinese Fighters, Bombers Cross Midline of Taiwan Strait, Enter Taiwan’s Southwest ADIZ

Multiple Chinese fighter jets and bomber aircraft have crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ), Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced.

According to the MND, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft included twelve J-16 fighter jets, two J-10 fighters, two J-11 fighters, two H-6 bombers and one Y-8 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. Following the transgression, Taiwan’s Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) scrambled fighter jets, and deployed air defense missile system to monitor the activities of the intruding aircraft.

“PLA crossed the median line of the Taiwan Straits again today, severely violating our sovereignty and destabilise regional #peace. MND strongly condemns and urges PRC to practise self-restraint and don’t be a troublemaker in the Indo-Pacific region”, said an MND statement.

The development came amid a visit by a high-profile United States official to Taiwan for the second time in two months. Keith Krach, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, arrived in Taiwan late Thursday.

Recent days saw multiple incursions by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan’s side of the Strait.

On Sept. 18, two H-6 bombers, eight J-16 fighters, four J-10 fighters and four J-11 fighters crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait prompting ROCAF to scramble fighter jets.

On Sept. 16, two PLA Y-8 ASW aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ.