China Sends Fighter Jets to Cross Center Line of Taiwan Strait
In a concerning move, China dispatched eight “J-10” fighter planes to cross the center line of the Taiwan Strait, coming within 24 nautical miles (approximately 40 kilometers) of Taiwan’s main island. This is the first time the military has confirmed such an incursion, further confirming China’s repeated attempts to undermine the status quo in the region.
To counter this aggressive action, Taiwan’s army used air defense missile tracking, revealing the presence of the Tiangong-3 missile launch vehicle developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences on the streets of Hengchun, Pingtung. The Tiangong-3 is a self-made mid-range and long-range air-defense missile with a combat range of about 200 kilometers. It is capable of intercepting fixed-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, a total of 19 sorties of Chinese aircraft, including J-10 and J-16 fighter jets, were detected on June 24. Of these, eight sorties crossed the center line and approached within 24 miles of Taiwan. Additionally, five Chinese ships were involved in joint combat readiness patrols.
The situation in the Taiwan Strait is becoming increasingly serious, with even the United States expressing deep concern. Retired General Zhang Yanting emphasized the need for more active actions from Taiwan’s military. He suggested sending fighter jets and drones to conduct powerful patrols across the central line of the strait. When Chinese military planes enter Taiwan’s training airspace, Taiwan should approach and intercept them.
The military has already established plans for comprehensive training, consulting, and institutional capacity building. It also calls for increased exchanges between U.S. and Taiwan officials to expand bilateral cooperation in military cybersecurity activities.
Su Zi, Director of National Defense Strategy and Resources of the Academy of National Defense, highlighted the support Taiwan is receiving from the United States. The US Senate recently passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which contains numerous clauses supporting Taiwan. Beijing may respond with military countermeasures, but this will only strengthen the US’s support for Taiwan.
The situation in the Taiwan Strait remains tense, and it is crucial for Taiwan to take proactive measures to protect its sovereignty and security.
What actions has Taiwan’s army taken in response to China’s incursion into the Taiwan Strait?
China Sends Fighter Jets to Cross Center Line of Taiwan Strait
China has dispatched eight J-10 fighter planes to cross the center line of the Taiwan Strait, coming within 24 nautical miles of Taiwan’s main island. This marks the first confirmed incursion of its kind by the Chinese military and further underscores China’s persistent efforts to undermine the regional status quo.
In response to this aggressive action, Taiwan’s army utilized air defense missile tracking and detected the presence of the Tiangong-3 missile launch vehicle developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences on the streets of Hengchun, Pingtung. The Tiangong-3 is a domestically-produced mid-range and long-range air-defense missile with a combat range of about 200 kilometers. It is specifically designed to intercept fixed-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles.
The Ministry of National Defense reported a total of 19 sorties of Chinese aircraft, including J-10 and J-16 fighter jets, on June 24. Eight of these sorties crossed the center line and came within 24 miles of Taiwan. Additionally, five Chinese ships participated in joint combat readiness patrols.
The situation in the Taiwan Strait is increasingly serious, with the United States expressing deep concern. Retired General Zhang Yanting has emphasized the need for more proactive actions from Taiwan’s military, including sending fighter jets and drones to conduct robust patrols across the center line of the strait. Taiwan should also approach and intercept Chinese military planes when they enter Taiwanese training airspace.
The military has already implemented plans for comprehensive training, consultation, and institutional capacity building. It is also calling for increased exchanges between U.S. and Taiwan officials to expand bilateral cooperation in military cybersecurity activities.
Su Zi, Director of National Defense Strategy and Resources at the Academy of National Defense, highlighted the support Taiwan is receiving from the United States. The U.S. Senate recently passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which contains various provisions supporting Taiwan. Although Beijing may respond with military countermeasures, this will only strengthen U.S. support for Taiwan.
Given the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait, it is crucial for Taiwan to take proactive measures to protect its sovereignty and ensure its security.
This comprehensive report sheds light on China’s recent move to send J-10 fighter jets to Taiwan, providing valuable insights into the escalating tensions between the two nations. A crucial read to understand the implications and potential consequences of this strategic maneuver.