China Sends Fighters Into Taiwan’s Side Of The Strait As High-Level U.S. Visit Begins

China sent formations of Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11 fighters into the Taiwan Strait earlier today. The aircraft crossed the median line that separates the highly sensitive channel for a brief period of time, according to local reports. The line acts as an unofficial airspace boundary between the two countries. The flights came after the arrival of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in Taiwan on Sunday at the start of a nearly unprecedented high-level visit.

The show of strength from Beijing occurred shortly before Azar met with Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, and the U.S. diplomat pledged “strong support and friendship” from Washington. The activity by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) fighters drew the following statement from Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense. “PLAAF jets’ deliberate intrusion and destruction of the current situation in the Taiwan Strait have seriously undermined regional security and stability.”


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