According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, Taiwan’s air force scrambled on Friday to scare away 18 Chinese aircraft that had crossed its air defence zone, part of a regular pattern of incursions that has enraged the administration in Taipei.
Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained about repeated Chinese aircraft sorties in the last two years.
Taiwan is currently on high alert due to suspicions that China could use Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a pretext to launch a military attack on the island, despite Taipei’s administration reporting no signs that Beijing is planning an attack.