Taiwan Reports Second-Biggest Chinese Warplane Incursion This Week

(Photo: SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images) Two US-made F-16 V jet fighters are seen on the runway at an air force base in Chiayi County on March 25, 2023. Taiwanese defense officials reported 10 Chinese aircraft entered its Air Defense Identification Zone on August 9, 2023

Taiwan has reported a total of 10 Chinese aircraft entered its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) Wednesday (August 9) while accompanying five Chinese warships engaged in "combat readiness" patrols.

According to the Taiwanese defense ministry, the incursion was the second Beijing's military forces have done this week. The incursion began at 09:00 local time (01:00 UTC) when it detected a total of 25 Chinese aircraft engaging in operations out at sea, including J-10 and J-16 fighters, as well as H-6 bombers, of which 10 of them crossed into Taiwan's ADIZ.

Taiwanese authorities also said they dispatched ships and aircraft to keep watch over the intruders' movements.

Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, has repeatedly complained of Chinese military activity near it over the past three years, as Beijing steps up pressure to try to force the island to accept its sovereignty, Reuters reported.

However, Taiwan's democratically elected government rejects China's sovereignty claim and says only the island's people can decide their future.

War Games for Intimidation

Another incursion incident was reported by Taiwan Sunday (August 6), when a similar level of activity by Chinese warships and warplanes near the island.

The incidents were two of the latest China made in the past few months. In August last year, Beijing held war games around Taiwan to protest against the trip made by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In April, China also staged war games after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen returned home from her US trip to meet Pelosi's successor, Kevin McCarthy.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese Vice President William Lai is scheduled to travel to the US this week on his way to Paraguay on what is officially only transit but which has angered China that they made it a "priority" to stop Lai from visiting, as per the Chinese ambassador to the US.