Taiwan says nine Chinese planes invaded its airspace

Chinese SU-30 fighter jets take off from an undisclosed location to patrol the South China Sea in June 2022.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said nine Chinese aircraft crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait on Friday, adding that it was carrying out backup patrols to prevent further invasions.

The Ministry of Defense said that China’s actions deliberately caused tension in the Taiwan Strait, adding that it condemned these actions as “irrational”.

There was no immediate response from China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory.

Still in Taiwan, the country’s President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at a podium on March 29 – Photo: Office of the President of Taiwan via AP

The heightened tension comes as Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visits the United States during a trip that will also pass through Central America.

She is expected to meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles on her way back to Taipei. China this week threatened unspecified retaliation if this meeting goes ahead.

China deployed its forces around Taiwan last August, following a visit to Taipei by then-US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and has continued its military activities near Taiwan since then, albeit on a limited scale.

People protest against Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, calling her a ‘great traitor to China’ – Image: Seth Wenig/AP