President Tsai Ing-wen attends a Taiwanese Air Force fighter jet take-off and landing drill, as part of the annual Han Kuang exercises, in Pingtung, Taiwan on Wednesday. (Taiwan Military News Agency photo via Reuters)TAIPEI: Taiwan’s air force scrambled on Friday to warn away 10 Chinese aircraft that entered its air defence zone, Taiwan’s defence ministry said, the day after the island announced a US$9-billion boost to military spending to counter the threat from China. The latest Chinese mission involved 6 J-16 and 2 J-11 fighters plus one anti-submarine and one reconnaissance aircraft, the Taiwan ministry said. Taiwan sent combat aircraft to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems were deployed to monitor them, the ministry said. Taiwan’s defence spending “is based on safeguarding national sovereignty, national security, and national security.

Source: Bangkok Post September 17, 2021 10:07 UTC