Two sorties of Chinese drones were detected flying around the perimeter of Taiwan proper between 6am on Saturday and 6am yesterday, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
A total of 31 Chinese military aircraft — which included several drones — and 12 Chinese warships were detected operating in and near the Taiwan Strait over the 24-hour period, the ministry said.
Institute for National Defense and Security Research fellow Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲) said the maneuvers were likely aimed at affecting public sentiment in Taiwan, demonstrating defiance toward the US’ two-plus-two talks with India and Australia, and enacting China’s polarized strategy of pushing war and peace as two alternatives against Taiwan.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense
Two of the drones had entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) from the northwest separately after 11:50am on Saturday, and then circled Taiwan proper, the ministry said.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense on Saturday also detected a Chinese drone flying in waters over the East China Sea between Taiwan and Yonaguni Island in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, before turning south toward the Bashi Channel, it said.
The Japanese ministry also detected a Shaanxi Y-9 electronic warfare aircraft flying over the East China Sea in airspace between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture, it said.
Beijing frequently reacts to international cooperation in the region by holding drills in or near the Taiwan Strait, Su said.
Citing an example, he said that it had held drills following an announcement by Vietnam and the Philippines about planned joint naval exercises.
Beijing’s attitude toward Taiwan was also demonstrated on China’s People’s Liberation Army Day on Thursday last week, when it published through state media cartoons depicting attacks on Taiwanese cities including Taipei, Kaohsiung and Hualien, he said.
Separately, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) yesterday said he believes that China’s recent military exercises near Taiwan were part of its cognitive warfare efforts, and were aimed at intimidating the Taiwanese public.
Taiwan should improve its defense capabilities and integrate international cooperation into its strategy to better prepare itself against Chinese threats, he said.
However, aggression from China would only result in democracies strengthening ties and cooperation, he said, adding that Taiwan would face any threat head-on.
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