The flight of a squadron of Chinese Air Force fighters over Taiwan carries multiple signals for different parties, according to experts, despite Beijing's attempt to justify the move by exercising its sovereignty over the island.
And an expert on international security and East Asia, Raymond Koo, said in an interview with "Fox" that Beijing is trying, through "provocations" of its fighters, to send a signal to the world to remind it of its view on Taiwan and that the island is essential to its national security interests.
The expert notes that in light of the US-Chinese rivalry, the record number of fighter jets over Taiwan comes in response to the island's alliance with Washington.
Beijing's move is also a warning sign of military exercises being conducted by the United States, the United Kingdom and four other countries in the East Philippine Sea.
With regard to neighboring countries, the expert says that many countries in the region, especially Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, view Taiwan as a test of US commitment and Chinese firmness.
By sending its fighters, Beijing is seeking to show its firmness in its claim to the island.
The expert confirms that Beijing is also sending signals inside on the National Day of the Republic, as the government is trying to emphasize its national qualifications regarding the reunification of China and confronting the Uyghur issue and other issues that concern the Chinese.
Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion from China, which considers the island part of its territory to which it must return, by force if necessary.
Beijing has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure since Tsai Ing-wen was elected president of Taiwan in 2016, as she considers the island to be "really independent" and not part of "one China".
The government of Taiwan urged China to stop "provocative and irresponsible actions" after the unprecedented penetration of 56 Chinese combat aircraft, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, into the "Adis" air zone.
The Addis region differs from the airspace of Taiwan, but it includes a much larger area that converges with part of China's "Air Defense Identification Zone", and even includes part of the Chinese mainland.
Last year, Chinese military aircraft carried out a record 380 incursions into the Taiwan defense zone, but they carried out more than 600 such operations since the beginning of the year until this October.
No comments:
Post a Comment