Taiwan scrambled jets on June 21 to warn away 29 Chinese aircraft including bombers that
had entered its air defense zone flew to the south of Taiwan and into the Pacific. Taiwan's
defense ministry said the latest Chinese mission included 17 fighters and six H-6 bombers, as well as electronic warfare, early warning, antisubmarine and an aerial refuelling aircraft. The
Ministry said some of the aircraft flew in an area to the northeast of the Pratas. However, the
bombers, accompanied by an electronic warfare and an intelligence gathering aircraft, flew into
the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, and into the Pacific before
turning back to China on the route they came in. Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it had sent
combat aircraft to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems were deployed to
monitor them.
(Comment: This is the latest uptick in tensions and largest incursion since late May. It was the
largest incursion since Taiwan reported 30 Chinese aircraft in its ADIZ on May 30. The largest
to date this year occurred on January 23, involving 39 aircraft.)
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