Chinese intelligence jets flew past area where Taiwan jet crashed, ‘to collect intel about Taiwan’s communication, and rescue and emergency response’
Asia Times
Date: November 17, 2917
By: Asia Times Staff
A Taiwan Air Force fighter AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo intercepts a PLA H-6 bomber above the Taiwan Strait. Photo: Taiwan Defense Ministry. A Taiwan Air Force fighter AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo intercepts a PLA H-6 bomber above the Taiwan Strait. Photo: Taiwan Defense Ministry.
Six Chinese warplanes, including four H-6 strategic bombers, two electronic intelligence jets, one Tu-154MD and the other Y-8, flew past the Miyako Strait between Taiwan and Japan’s Okinawa prefecture on November 19, until the Japanese Self-defence Force scrambled jet fighters to monitor and intercept the flyover, Japan’s Ministry of Defence said.
Taiwan authorities confirmed that the Chinese warplanes crossed deep into the island’s airspace – above the waters off Eastern Taiwan – before following the same route back.
“The flyover was closely monitored while our warplanes and pilots were put on full alert. The national armed forces will strive to defend airspace and the safety of our people,” Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.
A report on Monday in Beijing mouthpiece Global Times also said that a number of People’s Liberation Army Air Force planes traversed the Taiwan Strait – the first time after the conclusion of the Communist Party’s 19th Congress last month and US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing. It hailed the resumption of saber-rattling a “righteous patrolling of Beijing’s own sea and airspace”. [FULL STORY]
