In The Midst Of A US Official Visit, China Provided Taiwan Territory With 18 Combat Jets

JAKARTA - As many as 18 Chinese warplanes ransacked Taiwan, surrounded the island, and even crossed the sensitive central line of the Taiwan Strait. The provocative action was carried out by China in response to the arrival of senior US officials to Taipei.

US Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Keith Krach arrives in Taipei on Thursday, September 17. He is there for a visit that will continue for three days. The most senior US State Department official came to Taiwan for the first time in four decades.

Meanwhile, China, concerned about the growing relationship between Taiwan and the United States, has stepped up military exercises near the island, including two days of large-scale air and sea exercises last week. The Sino-US relations are already under immense pressure from the trade war, US digital security concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taiwan says 18 Chinese planes were involved on Friday, September 18, far more than before. "Two H-6 bombers, eight J-16 fighters, four J-10 fighters, and four J-11 fighters crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait and entered ADIZ southwestern Taiwan," the Defense Ministry said.

"The ROCAF scrambled the fighters and deployed an air defense missile system to monitor activity." ROCAF, Taiwan's air force, has been on the air frequently in recent months in response to Chinese interference.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense shows a map of the flight path of Chinese jets crossing the center line of the Taiwan Strait, which warplanes from the two countries normally avoid. Taiwan's Liberty Times newspaper said Taiwan jets had been deployed 17 times over four hours to warn the Chinese air force to stay away.

Meanwhile, representing China, China's Ministry of Defense Spokesman Ren Guoqiang said the maneuver involved the command of the People's Liberation Army's eastern theater. "It is a reasonable and necessary measure aimed at the current situation in the Taiwan Strait and protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Ren.

Ren said Taiwan is purely an internal Chinese affair. Ren also accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of increasing "collusion" with the US. Ren said that "using Taiwan to control China" or "relying on foreigners to build yourself up" was wishful thinking and futile.

"Those who play with fire will burn," said Ren.

Taiwan's presidential office urged China to exercise restraint. Meanwhile, Taiwanese were advised not to worry, saying the military understands the situation. Government officials in Taiwan, including President Tsai Ing-wen, have expressed concern in recent weeks that an accidental military gathering could spark a wider conflict.

Hu Xijin, editor of the widely supported Chinese government-backed Global Times tabloid wrote on his Weibo microblog that the stunt was an exercise to prepare for an attack on Taiwan. On the other hand, the exercise is also considered an effort to gather intelligence about Taiwan's defense system.

"If the Secretary of State or US Secretary of Defense visits Taiwan, People's Liberation Army fighters must fly over the island of Taiwan, and immediately train in the sky above it," he added.

Chinese fighter jets crossed the centerline of the Taiwan Strait last month when US Health Secretary Alex Azar was in Taipei. Last week China conducted a two-day large-scale exercise off the southwest coast of Taiwan.

The US, like most countries, has official relations only with China, not Taiwan. Nonetheless, the US is Taiwan's main arms supplier and most important international supporter. This week, the US ambassador to the United Nations (UN) had lunch with Taiwan's top envoy in New York. The Chinese mission to the United Nations said it had made a "strong statement" regarding the relationship.