Taiwan rebukes China over record fighter jet incursion

The incursion of Chinese aircraft into Taiwan's air defence zone October 1, 2021 included four H-6 bombers, as seen above here

Taiwan accused Beijing of bullying and damaging regional peace Saturday after Chinese fighter jets and bombers made their largest-ever incursion into the island's air defence zone.

Beijing marked its National Day on Friday with its biggest aerial show of force against Taiwan, buzzing the self-ruled democratic island with 38 warplanes, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers.

Democratic Taiwan's 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by China, which views the island as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

But Friday's incursion sparked a particularly sharp rebuke from Taipei.

"It's evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviours by China more and more."

A second batch of 13 jets then crossed into Taiwan's ADIZ later on Friday, in a rare night incursion, bringing the total to 38.

- Rising tensions -

But in the last two years Beijing has begun sending large sorties into Taiwan's ADIZ to signal dissatisfaction at key moments -- and to keep Taipei's ageing fighter fleet regularly stressed. 

Friday's show of force came the same week Beijing accused Britain of "evil attentions" after it sent a frigate to sail through the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taipei since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has said she views the island as "already independent" and not part of a "one China".

The previous single-day record was on June 15 when 28 jets breached Taiwan's ADIZ.

US military officials have begun to talk openly about fears that China could consider the previously unthinkable and invade.

Britain sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait on Monday for the first time since 2008.

Alexander Huang, associate professor at Tamkang University in Taipei, said he believed the latest aerial incursion was not just about sending a message to Taiwan.

"China is sending a political message to the US and UK on her national day: Don't mess around in my area."

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