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Tensions Rise Between China and Taiwan
“The United States notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan,” said the U.S. State Department.
Taiwan’ s Defense Ministry reported an incursion by Chinese warplanes just days after newly elected U.S. President Joe Biden’s inauguration. The Chinese military planes entered Taiwan’s airspace on at least two consecutive days.
On Sunday, China flew 15 fighter jets into Taiwan’s airspace between mainland Taiwan and the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, a report said. According to Taiwanese officials, the jets included six J-10 fighters, four J-16s, two SU-30s, a Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft and two Y-8 anti-submarine planes.
A day earlier, China flew eight bombers and four fighters into the same airspace, Taiwan’s self-declared south-western air defense identification zone, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration defines an air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, as “a designated area of airspace over land or water within which a country requires the immediate and positive identification, location, and air traffic control of aircraft in the interest of the country’s national security.”
While China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province, Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state. Taiwan’s air force warned away the Chinese military planes on both occasions, and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor activity in Taiwan’s ADIZ.
In reference to the People’s Republic of China, State Department Spokesman Ned Price said, “the United States notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan.”
“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected representatives,” Price said in the statement.
“We will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region, and that includes deepening our ties with democratic Taiwan,” the statement continued. “The United States will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, consistent with the wishes and best…
