Taiwan says multiple Chinese fighters entered its airspace

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday multiple Chinese fighter jets entered its airspace, describing the move as a destabilizing action threatening peace in the region, Reuters reported.

The jets were spotted just one day after Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen called for a coalition of democracies to defend freedom as China has flexed its naval military presence in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory despite the island’s autonomy from the Chinese Communist Party of Beijing.

Taiwan has repeatedly complained about Chinese military activities near the island as the Chinese government performs the drills to exert sovereignty over the South China Sea.

The island’s Defense Ministry said it spotted Chinese Su-30 and J-10 fighters enter Taiwan’s “response zone” via the southwest early Wednesday.

“The Defence Ministry solemnly condemns the Chinese Communist’s unilateral actions that damage regional peace and stability,” a statement from the ministry said.

Taiwan is conducting live-fire weapons tests off the southeast and eastern coastline.

The ministry added that Taiwan’s armed forces could promptly respond when met with potential threats, advising citizens not to be alarmed by Chinese exercises.

Liberty Times, a newspaper based in Taiwan, said the defense ministry issued 24 verbal warnings via radio for the Chinese aircraft to exit the zone.

China has not issued an address about the flight operations.