Taiwan scrambles jets to confront Chinese aircraft after rare incursion

[Ayoshi]

Taiwan scrambles jets to confront Chinese fighters after rare incursion | CNN - Updated 0713 GMT (1513 HKT) April 1, 2019

The island's military scrambled fighter planes after it said two Chinese J-11 fighter jets crossed the border within the waters of the Taiwan Strait, known as the median line, at about 11 a.m. on Sunday.

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If confirmed as intentional, the Chinese incursion would be the first of its kind in years, said Bonnie Glaser, director of the China Power Project at the center of Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"Chinese jets flew across the center line frequently in 1999," Glaser said. "Since then, there have been occasions when PRC jets flew toward the center line and then veered off. They haven't crossed it in a long time. By some accounts 20 years."

She said there was one instance in 2011 when Chinese planes accidentally crossed the line.

[Ayoshi]

Taipei Slams ‘Provocative’ Chinese Air Force Fighters Cross Taiwan Strait Median Line | The Diplomat - April 01, 2019

“At 11 a.m., March 31, 2 PLAAF J-11 jets violated the long-held tacit agreement by crossing the median line of the #Taiwan Strait,” Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a tweet. “It was an intentional, reckless & provocative action. We’ve informed regional partners & condemn #China for such behavior,” the tweet added.

Chinese fighters and bombers regularly conduct flights and operations in the Taiwan Strait, but generally do not cross the median line separating the two sides. The approach across the median line on Sunday, thus, marks an unusual and provocative message in Taiwan’s view.

The approach by the Chinese fighters follows reports that the Trump administration is preparing to approve a Taiwanese request for the purchase of F-16V multirole fighters.

Earlier this month, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen had made clear that Taipei had submitted a formal request to Washington, D.C., for the fighters. Tsai said the decision to make the request was supported by a review of Taiwan’s defense needs.

Asked about the prospective arms sale, both the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense were unequivocal in clarifying China’s opposition. “China’s position to firmly oppose arms sales to Taiwan is consistent and clear,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said during a press briefing in March.

https://thediplomat.com/2019/04/taipei-slams-provocative-chinese-air-force-fighters-cross-taiwan-strait-median-line/