Pundits and politicians alike have expressed their concerns over what Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, (and likely Moldova next), will do to the global order of things. They see authoritarianism on the rise around the globe, and they believe that Putin’s actions in the eastern end of Europe could inspire other less-than-savory characters to act on their own horrid whims.
And, just like clockwork, it appears as though Beijing has gotten the message.
Thirty Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft flew into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) Monday in the second-largest military aircraft incursion of the year, which included two Su-35 fighters for the first time in at least several years.
The aircraft represented were a smattering of some of China’s most capable military vessels.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said the aircraft consisted of eight Shenyang J-11 fighter jets, six Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, four Chengdu J-10 fighter jets, two Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, two Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare (Y-8 ASW) plane, one Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare plane (Y-8 EW), four Shaanxi Y-8 electronic intelligence spotter planes (Y-8 ELINT), and two KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft (KJ-500 AEW&C), according to Taiwan News.
China’s consistent threats against Taiwan have caused a bit of a political conundrum for the US and her western allies, with Beijing having long suggested that American support for Taiwan could spell trouble for their already-strained relationship.
