No defense alert during US talks: MND‘MINIMAL RISK’: Chinese military activity near the Nanpeng Islands in the South China Sea was not designated ‘exercises,’ a national defense official saidBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNANo air defense missile systems had been activated before a US delegation arrived in Taipei on Wednesday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday. Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng speaks to reporters in Taipei yesterday ahead of a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee. In Taipei, Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) told reporters ahead of a meeting of the legislative’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee that Taiwan is tracking all Chinese military movements. Chiu denied that the military had put anti-aircraft missile systems and units on alert to ensure the safe arrival of the US delegation. The ministry did not report any Chinese military aircraft entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, but there were two incursions by Chinese J-16 fighters yesterday afternoon.

Source: Taipei Times April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC