China has sent 56 fighter planes toward Taiwan in the largest show of force on record, continuing the three days of military harassment against the self-ruled island.
Beijing sent a record number of planes, including fighter jets and bombers, according to Taiwan’s defence ministry.
The Taiwanese air force scrambled its fighter planes and monitored the movement of the Chinese warplanes on its air defence system, the ministry said.
The first sortie of 52 planes included 34 J-16 fighter jets and 12 H-6 bombers, among other aircraft, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence. Later, four more Chinese J-16s flew toward the southwestern part of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone a buffer outside a country’s airspace.
Later, four more Chinese J-16s flew toward the southwestern part of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone – a buffer outside a country’s airspace.
China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. It refuses to recognise the island’s government and has increasingly sought to isolate the independence-leaning administration of President Tsai Ing-wen.
Beyond intimidating Taiwan – the act is also intended on sending a message to the US and its allies. The AUKUS security pact, Japan’s deepening ties with Taiwan, the Royal Navy’s navigation of the Taiwan strait and joint exercises between countries, with the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier has gone unnoticed. This is China’s way of showing it will not be bossed around, and it is telling that the record breaking 56-sorties came right after the US warned China to “cease” its pressure in an official statement.
Experts have called the flights and other military maneuvers by Beijing gray zone warfare, or any type of military action short of direct combat. Many say they do not believe the display of force and aggressive rhetoric, much of which is repetitive, will lead to war.
