As many as 31 aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) have crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait separating Taiwan and mainland China since the start of the day, the island’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on the X social media platform, reports TASS.
"Overall, 32 PLA aircraft in various types (including J-11, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 8:50 a.m. today (00:50 a.m. GMT - TASS). Out of which, 22 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in conducting air-sea joint training along with People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels," the statement reads.
Earlier, the ministry said that "11 PLA aircraft, 14 PLAN vessels and two official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6:00 a.m." Nine aircraft "crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ."
Taiwan’s military agency accused the Chinese People’s Liberation Army of "blatantly" violating international norms by conducting "live-fire exercises without prior warning."
The Taiwanese Defense Ministry regularly detects Chinese aircraft and vessels approaching the island.
Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the remaining Kuomintang forces, led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975), fled to the island after being defeated in China’s civil war. However, Beijing considers the island to be one of its provinces.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
