US condemns China’s ‘provocative’ aircraft sorties in Taiwan

By Team Newsable | First Published Oct 4, 2021, 2:32 PM IST

The US has called on China to halt its “provocative" pressure on Taiwan after a record number of daily incursions by Chinese warplanes.

The United States expressing its concerns over China`s activity near Taiwan, condemned Beijing for “provocative” and “destabilising” military activity after nearly 100 fighter jets and bombers went into Taiwan’s air defence zone over three consecutive days.

“The United States is very concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilising, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability,” US state department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

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“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan.”

Reiterating that the US has an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Price underlined that Washington will continue to assist Taipei in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability.

He stressed that the US will maintain its commitments as outlined in the Three Communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act, and the Six Assurances.

The incursions came as the National Day holiday started on the mainland to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the People’s Republic’s founding. Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, said Taiwan should probably expect further such incidents.

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A democratically governed island that is claimed by China, Taiwan has complained for more than a year of repeated missions near it by China’s air force, often in the southwestern part of its air defence zone close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.

On Friday, Saturday and again on Sunday, Taiwan's defence ministry reported that China’s air force had sent aircraft into the zone, with 39 on Saturday alone, the highest reported number to date.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said China was increasing tension in the Indo-Pacific region.

On Saturday, Taiwan had said that at least 58 Chinese warplanes entered its air identification zone (ADIZ) in the last two days of which 20 of them flew in on Saturday alone.

A total of 38 Chinese military planes, such as fighter jets and bombers, entered the area on Friday, Kyodo News reported citing the Defence Ministry.

These were said to be the biggest incursions by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) since Taipei began publicly reporting such activities last year.

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