2y ago

Chinese Military Aircraft, Ships Make Provocative Passes Near Taiwan - USNI News

news.usni.org Chinese Military Aircraft, Ships Make Provocative Passes Near Taiwan - USNI News

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Around 30 People’s Liberation Army Navy aircraft flew over the median line in the Taiwan Strait and into the island’s air defense identification zone on Wednesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said. Since 7 a.m. local time, Taiwan’s Armed Forces identified a total of 30 air...

23 comments

The US naval institute? that's not really subtle
but really now, why are we calling this a "provocative pass", China literally borders one side of the strait. The US makes passes there all the time and I don't see the US Naval Institute calling it "provocative".
- The article says that 30 PLA aircraft passed over the median line into Taiwan's air defense identification zone. Are American craft passing over the line into Chinese air defense territory?
  
  Yes? Multiple times?
  And even if you wanna both-sides this, the conflict is not even close to symmetric. The Taiwan Strait is nearly 6500 miles from the mainland US and less than 70 from mainland China. China does not conduct fly-bys and naval passes between Florida and Cuba.

Chinese Military Aircraft, Ships Make Provocative Passes Through Chinese Airspace/Waters
- RTA, it says right on the line and into the air defense identification zone, meaning they were intentionally trying to piss off Taiwan and by extension, Taiwan's western allies. Needless posturing. Is it news? Not really. Does it have more nuance than you give it credit for? Yes.
  
  The territory is contested. Meaning, China claims that this is their territory and they have a right to be there and the US claims it isn't their territory and they don't have a right to be there. The difference is, this is basically within eyesight from mainland China while US vessels that perform these same aggressive maneuvers are one third of a globe away from their home country.

23 comments