Taiwan says 52 Chinese military aircraft entered air defense zone
145 aircraft have flown into Taiwan's air defense area this month, says Ministry of National Defense
Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye military multirole combat aircraft seen on the runway during the Han Kuang Military Exercise 2021 in Pintung, Taiwan, 15 September 2021. ( Walid Berrazeg - Anadolu Agency )
ISTANBUL
Taiwan said on Monday that dozens of Chinese military aircraft entered its air defense area, the largest-ever daily incursion by China since September last year.
A total of 52 Chinese aircraft flew into Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone on Monday, the Ministry of National Defense said on Twitter.
Taiwan tasked combat air patrol aircraft, issued radio warnings, and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the activity, the ministry added.
On Oct. 1, Chinese National Day, which marks the formation of the People's Republic of China, and in the following two days, a total of 93 aircraft had violated the area declared the air defense identification zone by Taiwan.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said 38 aircraft entered the zone on Oct. 1, 39 on Oct. 2, and 16 on Oct. 3.
China claims Taiwan as a "breakaway province" while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.
Taiwan defines the air defense identification zone as an area that extends beyond its air space where air traffic controllers ask incoming aircraft to identify themselves.
*Contributed by Emre Aytekin in Beijing
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