11 Chinese warplanes cross median line of Taiwan Strait: MND
ROC Central News Agency
06/30/2023 01:34 PM
Taipei, June 30 (CNA) Eleven Chinese military aircraft were detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Friday morning, following an announcement by the United States government the previous day that it had approved the potential sale of US$440 million worth of weapons and spare parts to Taiwan, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND) in Taipei.
At around 8 a.m. Friday, 24 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft were spotted near Taiwan, and 11 of them crossed the unofficial border line between Taiwan and China, the MND said in a statement.
The 24 PLA aircraft included J-11, J-10, and J-16 fighter jets, as well as Sukhoi Su-30s and H-6 bombers, the MND said.
In response, the ministry said, it scrambled planes to monitor the Chinese aircraft, and also issued radio warnings, mobilized combat air and naval patrols, and deployed defensive missile systems.
According to the MND, five Chinese naval vessels were also detected near Taiwan on Friday, but it did not give any details of the location or movement of the ships.
The intrusions followed an announcement Thursday by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency that the State Department has approved the potential sale of two arms packages to Taiwan, including a US$332.2 million package for 30 mm ammunition and related equipment.
The other package, under a Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement, will allow the supply of spare and repair parts for military wheeled vehicles, weapons, and other related elements of logistics support to Taiwan, at an estimated cost of US$108, according to the American agency.
The U.S. arms sales were the second round approved this year and the 10th authorized by the President Joe Biden's administration.
(By Matt Yu and Elizabeth Hsu)
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