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13 Chinese planes cross median line in reaction to U.S. aircraft transit

ROC Central News Agency

07/13/2023 09:47 PM

Taipei, July 13 (CNA) A total of 26 Chinese military aircraft and four naval ships were detected near Taiwan on Thursday, of which 13 warplanes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait in response to the transit of a United States aircraft over the Taiwan Strait, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).

MND data Thursday evening revealed numerous Chinese warplanes were detected throughout the day, including Chengdu J-10, Sukhoi SU-30, Shenyang J-16 and J-11 fighter jets.

MND said of the 26 military aircraft, 13 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

The ministry said it scrambled combat air and naval patrols, and deployed defense missile systems to track the Chinese military aircraft.

The MND added that the presence of the Chinese planes was likely a response to a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft transiting through the airspace above the Taiwan Strait Thursday morning.

The U.S. 7th Fleet issued a statement Thursday regarding the transit.

"By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations," the statement said, adding "the aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

July 13: U.S. Navy aircraft transits Taiwan Strait: Defense ministry

Taiwan's Defense Ministry has been posting information about Chinese planes entering Taiwan's ADIZ since Sept. 17, 2020, amid the growing frequency of incursions by Chinese military aircraft.

China stepped up military maneuvers in August last year after U.S. House of Representatives then-speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, holding live-fire drills in six locations around the country.

Additionally, a significant number of Chinese warplanes, including the 13 on Thursday, have crossed the median line, the unofficial border between Taiwan and China, since Pelosi's visit, which is generally considered far more provocative than incursions into the air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

(By Matt Yu and James Lo)

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