Eight Chinese Jets Crossed Strait’s Median Line, Taiwan Says

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry has said on Sunday that over the previous 24 hours it had detected eight Chinese fighter jets crossing over the median line of the Taiwan Strait, as well as one Chinese balloon.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has repeatedly complained of Chinese military activity around the island over the past four years.

China has been stepping up its missions near Taiwan as the Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections on the island approach.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said the Chinese J-10, J-11 and J-16 fighter jets had crossed the median line at points to the North and centre of the strait.

The median line once served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides, but Chinese planes now regularly fly over it.

Taiwan sent its own Forces to monitor, the ministry said.

REUTERS

The Ministry also reported another Chinese balloon in the strait, the latest in a spate of what Taiwan says are most likely for monitoring the weather, driven by prevailing winds at this time of year.