China unleashes 71 aircraft into Taiwan’s air defence zone in largest military action of it’s kind to date

CHINA has staged its largest ever incursion into Taiwan’s air defence zone with 71 planes buzzing the island. Of the aircraft, 43 also crossed the Taiwan Strait’s median line, an unofficial buffer between the two sides that lies within the defence zone, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry. APTaiwan released this image of a Chinese warplane after the incursion[/caption] Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said it was the largest Chinese air force incursion to date. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, said it had conducted “strike drills” in the sea and airspace around Taiwan. During the latest incursion, several Chinese planes, mostly fighter jets, briefly crossed the median line before returning to China, according to Taiwan’s defence ministry. Seven Chinese navy ships were also detected near Taiwan, the ministry said. China’s military also sent early warning, electronic-warfare and antisubmarine aircraft, as well as drones, into Taiwan’s southern air defence identification zone, or ADIZ, according to the report. A senior Taiwan official familiar with security planning said China had staged the military “provocation” to express anger at a new US law that boosts military assistance for Taiwan.