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Military in full control when China's Su-27s crossed centerline: MND

ROC Central News Agency

2011/07/25 13:16:18

By Hsieh Chia-chen and Sofia Wu

Taipei, June 25 (CNA) The military reacted in accordance with emergency response regulations when two Chinese Su-27 jet fighters were spotted over waters west of the Taiwan Strait centerline on June 29, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Monday in a statement.

The ministry was responding to a United Daily News report on the same day that a People's Liberation Army Su-27 crossed the Taiwan Strait centerline late last month when it was chasing a U.S. U-2S high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

The Chinese fighter turned back to the mainland after two Taiwanese F-16 fighters scrambled to the nearby airspace, the newspaper said.

The MND confirmed the report, but added that the brief traverse was not a deliberately provocative act.

The statement further said the military has consistently kept a close eye on Chinese military aircraft's activities in skies over the Taiwan Strait that separates Taiwan and mainland China.

"As long as any emergency situation is detected, the military has never hesitated to send our Air Force aircraft to the region for precautionary warnings," the MND statement said.

In taking such actions, the MND stressed that it has followed the "no provocation" principles in dealing with relevant situations. The ministry further said it will continue emergency preparedness and readiness to ensure airspace safety.