72nd National Day, China Deploys 25 Fighter Planes To Taiwan Defense Zone: From Sukhoi To Nuclear Bombers

Taiwanese F-16 fighter jets shadow Chinese H-6 bombers in the air defense zone. (Wikimedia Commons/軍事新聞通訊社)

JAKARTA - Taiwan's Air Force has again sent its fleet to repel 25 Chinese warplanes that entered its air defense zone, as Beijing commemorates National Day or the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of Defense said Friday.

Chinese-claimed Taiwan has complained for a year or more about repeated missions by China's air force near the democratically-ruled island, often in the southwest of its air defense zone close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.

China's latest mission involved 18 J-16 fighters and four Sukhoi Su-30s, two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers and an anti-submarine aircraft, Taiwan's ministry said.

It said Taiwan sent warplanes to warn Chinese planes, while missile systems were deployed to monitor them. Meanwhile, the Chinese planes were all flying in the area close to Pratas, with the two bombers flying closest to the atoll, according to a map released by the ministry.

There was no immediate comment from China. The biggest attack to date occurred in June, involving 28 Chinese air force warplanes

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. (Wikimedia Commons/總統府)

China's latest mission comes less than a day after its government launched a mock attack on Taiwan's foreign minister, prompting revolutionary leader Mao Zedong's words to denounce him as a 'shrink' fly over his efforts to promote Taiwan internationally.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, is an outspoken supporter of the country's fight against China and regularly appears in discussions. In a lengthy condemnation of Wu late on Thursday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said he was a "stubborn" supporter of Taiwan independence, peddling the lie that Taiwan is a sovereign nation.

"All forms of comments about Taiwan independence are just flies 'humming', with shrill booms and sobs," the Beijing Taiwan Affairs Office said, citing Reuters Oct. 1.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said the attack was "not worthy" for comment. However, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, which makes policy on China, denounced it as "slander and harassment".

"This kind of verbal violence, which is unprecedented in the international community, only highlights the violation of the rules of the Taiwan-related body on the other side of the Taiwan Strait and how far it is from civilized society," the council criticized.

China has been increasing military and political pressure to try and force Taiwan to accept Chinese sovereignty. On the other hand, Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend its freedom and democracy.