After 52 military aircraft belonging to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently visited the region, four more Chinese airplanes were sighted cruising in Taiwan's air defense zone overnight, the country's National Defense Ministry stated early Tuesday.
The four J-16 fighter jets reached the southern sector of the air defense zone, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry on Twitter.
According to the statement, the planes were warned via radio, and civil patrol aircraft and air defense missile systems were activated to monitor their operations.
Fifty-two fighter jets flew into the southwestern section of the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) during the day, the ministry stated on Twitter yesterday.
It was the largest "breach" involving the largest number of planes spotted in a single day since Taiwan began keeping data in September 2020, with 56 flights.
On October 1, China commemorates National Day, which commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China, and over three days, a total of 93 aircraft breached Taiwan's ADIZ.
According to Taiwan's Defense Ministry, 38 planes entered the zone on October 1, 39 jets on October 2, and 16 aircraft on October 3.
Taiwan has been a "breakaway province" of China since 1949, while Taipei has maintained its independence.
The ADIZ is defined as a zone outside Taiwan's airspace where approaching aircraft are asked to identify themselves by air traffic controllers.
Reaction in the United States
The United States slammed China's recent entry of 52 airplanes into Taiwan's air defense zone, calling it a "provocative act" that was "destabilizing."
The flights, said to White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki, "undermine regional peace and stability." "Beijing was urged to "stop its military, political, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan," according to the statement.
"Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are important to us. As a result, we would continue to support Taiwan in retaining an adequate capability for self-defense "She informed the press.
"Our commitment to Taiwan is unwavering, and it helps to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region. We have expressed our worry about the PRC's pressure and coercion against Taiwan both privately and publicly, and we will continue to keep a close eye on the situation "She went on to say that she was referring to the People's Republic of China.
China's response to the United States
In a written response to US State Department spokesman Ned Price, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying claimed that Taiwan is dependent on China and that the US is unable to comment on the matter.
"The US allegations violated the 'one-China' policy and...sent an exceedingly inappropriate and reckless signal," according to the statement.
According to Hua, the US has been sending weaponry to Taiwan and developing its political and military ties with the island for a long time. US jets landed on the island, and warships traveled across the Taiwan Strait.
"These provocative acts damage Sino-American relations and jeopardize regional peace and stability. China opposes them and is taking the appropriate countermeasures "she stated
Hua also stated that China would take all necessary steps to resist any effort at Taiwanese independence and steadfastly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
