Taiwan says 11 Chinese aircraft entered its air defense zone

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Taiwan on Monday said at least 11 Chinese aircraft entered its air defense identification zone (ADIZ) after flying across the Taiwan Strait.

The self-ruled island’s Defense Ministry said it detected five naval vessels and 15 aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army around Taiwan, while 11 had crossed the ADIZ.

Taiwanese armed forces “monitored the situation and responded to these activities” in air, waters and through land-based missile systems, the ministry said in a statement.

China’s policy of regularly sending its warships and military planes across the Taiwan Strait aims to deter Taiwan, home to over 24 million people, from establishing independent ties with other nations.

Beijing says Taiwan is its inalienable part while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.

The Chinese military actions have increased since early this month as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led an American lawmakers’ delegation to Taipei on an unannounced visit against Beijing’s wishes which accused Washington of trampling on the One-China principle.

Another delegation of US lawmakers visited Taiwan in mid-August and now Governor Eric Holcomb of the US State of Indiana reached the self-ruled island on Sunday.

A group of Japanese lawmakers is also on a trip to Taiwan much to the chagrin of Beijing.

China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday also responded to comments made by US Ambassador Nicholas Burns.

Burns was summoned twice to Foreign Ministry in Beijing following Pelosi’s visit to lodge protests with Washington.

“The one-China principle is at the heart of China’s core interests. No country, force or individual shall ever underestimate the firm resolve, staunch will and strong capability of the Chinese government and people to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity and to achieve national reunification and rejuvenation,” the ministry replied to Burns who called Beijing’s response to Pelosi’s visit “overreaction.”

Beijing urged the US to “abide by the basic norms of international relations including respecting other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in others’ internal affairs, return to the right path of the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués and stop doing anything that undermines China’s core interests.”