Taiwan detects 9 Chinese planes, including 2 H-6 bombers in its air defence zone

As Taiwan has witnessed a continuous breach of its Air Defence Identification Zone (IZ) by China this year, nine more Chinese planes, including two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, entered Taipei on Sunday. planes flew to south of island, reported news agency Sputnik citing Taiwan's Defence Ministry. two bombers reportedly flew into Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan and Philippines, before returning to China. Taiwanese Defence Ministry ded that or planes were detected near Pratas Islands. Tensions around Taiwan have been rising in recent months, with Chinese soldiers conducting exercises in region prompting officials from European Union and United States to visit Taipei. 

16 Chinese warplanes enter air defense zone: Taiwan

Earlier this month, as many as 16 Chinese fighter jets h entered country's Air Defense Identification Zone, according to a report by Deutsche Welle. number of aircraft launched into air defence zone was maximum since People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched 150 warplanes into zone in five separate drills in early October. Although IZ is designated airspace for national security reasons, it is yet not specified by international treaties. Meanwhile, Taiwanese authorities reserve right to enquire about aircraft entering IZ as well as ir planned destination. 

IZ stretches hundreds of kilometres

It is worth noting here that IZ spans hundreds of kilometres from Taiwan's coast and even into certain parts of mainland China. It is larger than Taiwan's sovereign air space, which only extends 12 nautical miles off coast. In recent months, China has reportedly flown a number of aircraft into IZ on a regular basis, but warplanes have not entered Taiwan's sovereign airspace. Taiwan, which has a population of 23.6 million people, split away from China in 1949 after a civil war that saw Communist Party seize control of mainland.

It is pertinent to mention here that last month, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen committed to safeguarding island's sovereignty in face of "unprecedented challenges" posed by Chinese military. Speaking on occasion of island's National Day on October 10, Tsai h stated that Taiwan is no longer perceived as Asia's orphan, but as an "Island of Resilience" which is capable of facing problems with fortitude. Despite Taiwan's self-government being present for more than seven deces, Beijing claims absolute sovereignty over island. However, Taipei has fought Chinese aggression by strengning strategic connections with democracies, especially United States, which Beijing has frequently opposed.

(Image: AP)