Defense ministry urges China to stop 'unprovoked military harassment'
ROC Central News Agency
08/29/2023 09:24 PM
Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday urged Beijing to cease "unprovoked military harassment" after 12 Chinese warplanes and five naval vessels were detected in the vicinity of Taiwan.
In a statement, the MND said that 12 Chinese People's Liberation Army aircraft -- six J-10 and four J-16 fighter jets, one Y-9 electronic warfare aircraft, and one BZK-005 reconnaissance drone -- were detected in Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) between 9 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. Tuesday.
The six J-10s, the drone, and an unspecified number of the J-16s crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, while an unspecified number of the J-16s, as well as the Y-9, flew deep into the southwestern ADIZ, according to flight paths released by the MND.
An ADIZ is a self-declared area in which a country claims the right to identify, locate and control approaching foreign aircraft but is not part of territorial airspace as defined by international law.
Meanwhile, five PLA Navy vessels were also in waters near Taiwan conducting joint combat readiness patrols, the MND said.
According to the MND, it has been closely monitoring the situation using its joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems and deployed combat air patrol aircraft, vessels, and coastal missile systems in response.
The MND said that ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was key to maintaining security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and it was the responsibility of all stakeholders, including Beijing.
The MND added that China's continued military harassment could escalate tensions and erode regional peace.
Beijing should shoulder its responsibility and immediately stop its unprovoked actions disrupting regional stability, the MND added.
(By Sean Lin)
Enditem/ASG
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
