Taiwan blasts China for ‘reckless and provocative’ fighter jet incursion
- It is highly unusual for Chinese jets and warships to cross the so-called median line in the Taiwan Strait, a widely agreed upon boundary
- Taiwanese news media said the last time Chinese jets had crossed the line was in 2011
Taipei hit out at China on Sunday for what it said was a “reckless and provocative” incursion by two fighter jets across a largely respected line dividing the two sides in the Taiwan Strait.
The Defence Ministry said Taiwan scrambled its own aircraft on Sunday morning and broadcast warnings after two J-11 fighter jets crossed over the “median line” within the waters that separate the island from the mainland.
“At 11am, March 31, 2 PLAAF J-11 jets violated the long-held tacit agreement by crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Twitter.
“It was an intentional, reckless and provocative action. We’ve informed regional partners and condemn China for such behaviour,” the ministry added.
China has ramped up the number of fighter and warship crossings near Taiwan or through the straits in recent years, rattling nerves on the island at a time when relations are at a low point.