Taiwan reports 13 Chinese aircraft in defence zone

Taiwan has reported 13 Chinese aircraft that entered the defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday, the island’s defence ministry said.

Taiwan, which China claims as part of its sovereign territory, has over the last few months recorded repeated missions by China’s air force near the island, concentrated in the southwestern part of its air defence zone near the Pratas Islands, which Taiwan controls.

According to the Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND), in response to the intrusion, “Taiwan sent aircraft, broadcast radio warnings, and deployed air defence missile systems to monitor the ASW aircraft.”

This came as Beijing claims sovereignty over the democratic island and has increased military incursions in Taiwan.

The incident came a day after nine Chinese military planes incurred into ADIZ. On Monday, at least four Chinese military planes had also incurred into Taiwan.

Meanwhile, at least 13 Chinese military planes have made incursions this month in Taiwan’s identification zone, including seven spotter planes and six fighter jets.

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Kamila/Reuters