Taiwan activated its defense systems on Thursday after announcing the flight of 37 Chinese military aircraft in the island's air defense zone, with some later heading towards the western Pacific in the latest significant incursion by Beijing. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported that since 5 AM local time (21:00 GMT Wednesday), 37 aircraft belonging to the Chinese Air Force, including J-11 and J-16 fighters, as well as H-6 bombers with nuclear capabilities, had been detected flying in the southwestern corner of the island's air defense identification zone.
The ministry indicated in a statement that some of the Chinese aircraft flew southeast of Taiwan and crossed into the western Pacific to conduct "air surveillance and long-distance navigation training." Furthermore, Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and ships for monitoring and activated ground-based missile systems. The air defense identification zone is a broader area monitored by Taiwan where it conducts patrols to provide its forces with more time to respond to threats. Over the past three years, China has repeatedly sent its air forces to fly near the island, which it considers part of its territory, although those aircraft do not enter the airspace over Taiwan itself.
