Taipei: Taiwan’s air force scrambled again on Thursday to warn away nine Chinese aircraft that entered its air defense zone, Taiwan’s defense ministry said, on the same day that Russia invaded Ukraine.
The ministry said eight Chinese J-16 fighters and one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft were involved, which flew in an area to the northeast of the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands at the top end of the South China Sea.
Taiwan has complained of regular such missions by the Chinese air force for the last two years or so, though the aircraft does not get close to Taiwan itself.
The ministry said the latest mission involved eight Chinese J-16 fighters and one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft, which flew over an area to the northeast of the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands at the top end of the South China Sea.
Taiwanese fighters were sent up to warn the Chinese aircraft and air defense missiles were deployed to “monitor the activities,” the ministry said, using standard wording for how Taiwan describes its response.
Taiwan has been warily watching the Ukraine crisis, nervous that China may try to take advantage to move on the island.
