China invaded Taiwan’s defense airspace with 29 planes on Tuesday, the Taiwan Ministry of Defense reports. The pilots were warned by radio and anti-aircraft systems were deployed. It is the third incident this year.
29 planes are said to have entered Taiwan’s self-declared air defense zone on Tuesday. This is reported by the Ministry of Defense of the small island state, 180 kilometers east of China.
It also said the Taiwanese military had deployed planes to patrol the airspace, issued radio warnings to Chinese pilots and deployed anti-aircraft missile systems.
This is the third campaign this year. As early as May 30, China entered Taiwan’s defense airspace with 30 planes, and on January 23 with 39 planes.
The defense airspace is not identical to Taiwan’s territorial airspace, but is significantly larger. It partially overlaps with China’s own defense airspace and even extends over some areas of mainland China.
Beijing regularly sends planes into Taiwan’s defensive airspace to bolster its claim to the island and pressure the Taiwan Air Force. Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province that is to be reunited with the mainland – if necessary using military force.
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