Sharjah24 – Reuters: Twenty-eight Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, on Tuesday, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, a record since Taiwan began publicly noting Chinese incursions, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.
Three groups of aircraft flew all the way to the southeastern side of Taiwan, a maneuver Newsweek suggests could be rehearsing cutting off Taiwan from U.S. support in the event of an invasion. In total these groups included one Y-8 anti-submarine plane; four H-6 twin-engine jet bombers; four J-16 twinjet, multirole fighters; and one Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft.
Three additional groups of aircraft flew in the airspace between Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands. In total these included two KJ-500 airborne early warning and control planes; 10 additional J-16 twinjet, multirole fighters; and six J-11 twinjet, multirole fighters.
In recent weeks Chinese pressure on Taiwan has slackened off after air incursions peaked in mid-April, according to Twitter updates by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.
The previous record for incursions was set in mid-April, with 25 aircraft flying into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
Tuesday's escalation could be seen as a response to a G7 communique made last week. It emphasized 'the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait' and encouraged 'the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.
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