Russian Ministry of Defence
This latest back-and-forth includes an unprecedented flight by eight Chinese bombers.
The maneuvers took place in and over the South China Sea, which Beijing largely claims as its own territory.
The United States and China are engaged in the first military back-and-forth of the new year, sending many ships and aircraft into the South China Sea over the past few days.
This latest round kicked off with the return of an American carrier battle group to the region, followed by an unprecedented flight of eight Chinese bombers into nearby Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). Both sides piled on more fighters, surveillance aircraft, and bombers, making this dance-off a considerable escalation over previous years.
Four Chinese military planes enter Taiwan s ADIZ
01/27/2021 09:12 PM
A Y-8 tactical reconnaissance plane. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense
Taipei, Jan. 27 (CNA) Four Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, according to Taiwan s Ministry of National Defense (MDN).
The aircraft two Y-8 anti-submarine planes, a Y-8 electronic warfare plane and a Y-8 tactical reconnaissance plane entered the airspace between southwest Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands in the South China Sea, according to a chart provided by the MND.
In response, the military scrambled fighter jets, broadcast radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems to track the Chinese aircraft, the MND said.
Defence News | President Biden admin backs Taiwan as Chinese jets buzz island defencenews.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from defencenews.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Chinese fighters, bombers test Taiwan’s air defense days into Biden presidency
The Chinese Shenyang J-16 fighter flies near Taiwan in this undated photo provided by the island s defense ministry.
TAIWAN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
By MATTHEW M. BURKE | STARS AND STRIPES Published: January 25, 2021 Chinese warplanes flew into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone two days in a row over the weekend, stepping up its show of force a day after President Joe Biden’s administration signaled support for the self-governing island. Fifteen Chinese aircraft, including 12 fighters, two Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft and a technical reconnaissance plane, entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone Sunday, the island’s Military News Agency reported that day. They passed between Taiwan’s southern shores and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, according to the report.
The comments are the first from Washington on relations with Taiwan since President Joe Bidens inauguration last week, and came on the same day Taipei reported multiple Chinese jets and bombers had flown into its air defense zone.