Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has condemned China and Russia for escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. In a statement issued on Friday, the council highlighted Chinese military activities in the Taiwan Strait and joint operations between China and Russia, which breached South Korea’s air defence identification zone (KADIZ) earlier in the week, as reported by Taipei Times. These actions have sparked concerns about increasing instability in the region.
On Thursday and Friday, Chinese warplanes made a significant incursion, crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entering Taiwan’s northern and southwestern airspace. According to the MAC, a total of 30 Chinese aircraft, along with 15 naval vessels and three high-altitude balloons, were involved in the operation. The Chinese military also carried out a “joint combat readiness patrol” targeting Taiwan, further escalating tensions in an already volatile region, as reported by Taipei Times.
In addition to activities near Taiwan, China and Russia conducted joint military operations on Friday, sending 11 warplanes into the KADIZ. This prompted the South Korean Air Force to scramble jets for interception. The Chinese and Russian aircraft, which included five Chinese and six Russian warplanes, entered the KADIZ between 9:35 am and 1:53 pm. They flew over the Sea of Japan (East Sea in Korea) and the waters off South Korea’s southern coast.
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South Korean military officials reported that Russian aircraft entered from the northeast, while Chinese planes approached near Ieodo Rock (Suyan Reef in China) before flying northward between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to Taipei Times.
The MAC strongly condemned these actions, stating, “This further proves that the Chinese Communist Party is not only the source of instability in the Taiwan Strait, but also a troublemaker in the Asia-Pacific region.” The council also criticized China and Russia for undermining regional peace and stability, calling their behavior irresponsible.
The Taiwanese government reaffirmed its commitment to defending regional security and condemned the provocative actions of both countries.
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