China mounts largest incursion yet near Taiwan, blames US for tensions
TAIPEI, OCT 4( REUTERS )- China blamed the United States on Monday for increased tensions over Taiwan, as the island fingered Beijing as the “chief culprit” after reporting the largest ever incursion by China’s air force into its air defence zone at 56 aircraft.
Chinese-claimed Taiwan has complained for a year or more of repeated missions by China’s air force near the democratically governed island, often in the southwestern part of its air defence zone close to the Taiwan controlled Pratas Islands.
But since Friday, when China marked its national day, the country has embarked upon a massive ramping up of its
The latest mission included 34 J-16 fighters and 12 nuclear-capable H-6 bombers which all flew in an area in the vicinity of the Pratas Islands
missions, with almost 150 aircraft flying into the defence zone over the space of four days.
The latest mission included 34 J-16 fighters and 12 nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, which all flew in an area in the vicinity of the Pratas Islands, according to a map provided by the ministry. A further four Chinese fighters were spotted on Monday night, taking the total to the day to 56 aircraft.