Illustrative Image: A Republic of China Air Force F-16 fighter jet
Since Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, China has drastically increased its flights over the median line
Originally published on AntiWar
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has confirmed for the first time that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had sent drones over the median line, the unofficial barrier that separates the two sides of the Taiwan Strait that was drawn by the US in 1955, The South China Morning Post reported on Sunday.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry first reported a Chinese drone crossed the median line this past Thursday. On that day, 45 PLA aircraft were flying in the region and 25 of them crossed the median line. Chinese drones also crossed the unofficial barrier in sorties reported by Taiwan on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The reported flights come after Taiwan said it shot down a civilian drone over Kinmen County, a Taiwanese-controlled archipelago off the southeastern coast of mainland China.
8 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels around our surrounding region were detected today (Sept. 11, 2022) until 1700(GMT+8). #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded to these activities with aircraft in CAP, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems. pic.twitter.com/XrjL14644h
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C.
(@MoNDefense) September 11, 2022
A source close to the PLA told The South China Morning Post that China had flown drones in the area before, but this was the first time it was reported by Taiwan. “The PLA used to send UAVs to perform reconnaissance tasks in sensitive areas of the sky before sending fighter jets for special missions, but the Taiwanese military wasn’t aware of it until recently,” the source said.
The source said that the drone flights were part of China’s stepped-up military pressure on Taiwan that came in response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei. Since her trip in early August, Beijing has drastically increased its flights over the median line, a barrier it used to avoid.
According to Japan Times, China flew 302 sorties across the median line in August. Between 1954 and August 2020, China flew across the barrier only four times. Between September 2020 and Pelosi’s visit, Chinese warplanes made the flight 23 times.
The uptick in Chinese flights after August 2020 was in response to the Trump administration sending the highest-level cabinet officials to Taiwan since Washington severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979.
China has kept up the military pressure as US officials continue to visit Taiwan. Last week, a bipartisan delegation of House lawmakers marked the sixth US visit to the island since the beginning of August.
Beijing views the US trips as Washington moving away from the one-China policy. China has repeatedly warned that the issue is a red line and that US support for Taiwan’s “independence forces” could lead to war.
Is this all part of trying to declare a national emergency in the US to stop the Mid Terms? Appears a lot in play to do such a thing. Piglosi didn’t go there and stir the hornets nest for nothing. Stay on guard and don’t do anything foolish Patriots in the US The 3 letter corrupt regime agencies are hoping you will……..
I hate everything they do, but I have to hand it to them, at least they can project power.
True. But that’s the biggest problem. No other country can challenge USA. USA hold too much power. They can do whatever they want. Definitely not a good thing for whole world. I actually believed with current Russia – Ukraine war Russia will able to change this. But looking at current situation I don’t think so.
Power split between two or three super powers will actually do good to our world.
The real question is Vanya do you Hate the Zionists who freely attack other countries ignoring any American speak- “Meridians ” in Syria /Lebanon and shoot Palestinian “ducks in a barrel ” contained in Gaza Concentration Camp ????
Doubtful a war in a far away place is considered a national emergency for the US. However, the end of the US dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency, hyperinflation and or collapse of the banks would do it.
One China policy means Taiwan is a part of China that provides temporary refuge to some misguided Chinese.
The only people more full of it then the Russians are the Chinese. None are mentally capable of conquest so they should all just sit down and shut up.
Come on Vanya you have been “sussed ” nobody is taken in by your negative psychological attempts to depress/break the Spirit of the PRO- Russia posters .
You sound intelligent enough to do better – go on think about it deep inside yourself –doesn’t it depress you internally posting negative Russian comments ? Break free of your instructors they only have the USA at heart come into the sunshine and see the Light of the Truth & Righteousness of the Russian cause –why work for OLD NICK in the Darkness when it could be a Shining LIght of Truth itself ?
Side note, The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) plans to purchase Russian Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets, according to its commander, Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi.
Some of you might remember this going around – but still, this doesn’t mean it is official.
Egypt ordered those Su-35 jets but they backed out of the deal because of yanquis sanctions. Also, some say Iran has sent their pilots to Russia for training but that is not confirmed.
Oh right, I going to say it now, remember when the US said Russia wants to buy Iranian drones? That story might change to Iran and Russia working on drone technology (which was a thing).
Funny thing I read – I think it was from the Washington Post, they were saying the drones that Russia got wasn’t working and had “bugs”.
(“There are a few bugs in the system,” said an allied security official whose government closely monitored the transfer. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity and that his nationality not be revealed to discuss sensitive intelligence. “The Russians are not satisfied,” the official said.)? You can’t make this shit up?
Yes, this is a story and none of it is true and no one dares to give any proof of Iranian drones being used in Ukraine or the Russian army using them.
January 2022, Iran and Russia signed an agreement on defense and security cooperation. This agreement includes the modernization of the existing fighter jets of IRIAF. The MiG-29A and Su-24 aircraft are to be upgraded (E.g. to the MiG–29MT level).
Now it doesn’t take a genius to understand what is happening here.
The Russians need all the planes they can get just to replace the planes they have lost. There are no extra planes that they can afford to sell for non existent drones.
When did South Front become YouTube comment section again?
Right, Vanya care to give me the numbers? How many jets has Russia lost so far with proof pls, and I want you to google how many jets Russia has right now. Are you a clown? Because your jokes are as bad as your face.
As I mentioned in my comment, those Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets were built and ready to be shipped to Egypt but the deal was canceled by Egypt. As of right now those jets are sitting and waiting for a buyer.
Why do I have this feeling that you dead ass going to say some shit like drones, jets, and helicopters are the same thing?
“There are no extra planes that they can afford to sell for non existent drones” Like how old are you? Do you have a father?
There is no median line
Taiwan is not an isolated island off the Chinese mainland. Every year there are billions dollars worth of trades and investments between them.