Chinese military intensifies sorties around Taiwan island

WORLD, Dec. 22 (YPA) – Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Thursday that the island’s armed forces registered 39 aircraft and three ships of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) approaching the island in the past 24 hours.

“39 Chinese aircraft and 3 vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities,” the ministry said on Twitter.

According to the ministry, 21 J-16 fighters, one CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle, two KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, one Y-20 cargo aircraft, one Z-9 utility helicopter, and four H-6 jet bombers crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan sent an air patrol to monitor the situation, issued radio warnings, and deployed anti-aircraft missile systems, the ministry added.

E.M