BEIJING/TAIPEI: China does not tolerate foreign forces intervening in Taiwan issues and has to make strong responses to such acts of "collusion", the government said on Wednesday (Jun 16) after the island reported the largest incursion to date of Chinese aircraft.
Twenty-eight Chinese air force aircraft, including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers, entered Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday, the island's government said.
The incident came after the Group of Seven leaders issued a joint statement on Sunday scolding China for a series of issues and underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, comments China condemned as "slander".
Asked at a news conference whether the military activity was related to the G7 statement, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said it was Taiwan's government that was to blame for tensions. Beijing believes the island's government is working with foreign countries to seek formal independence.
"We will never tolerate attempts to seek independence or wanton intervention in the Taiwan issue by foreign forces, so we need to make a strong response to these acts of collusion," Ma said.
Democratically-ruled Taiwan has complained over the last few months of repeated missions by China's air force near the island, concentrated in the southwestern part of its air defence zone near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.
However, this time not only did the Chinese aircraft fly in an area close to the Pratas Islands, but the bombers and some of the fighters flew around the southern part of Taiwan near the bottom tip of the island, according to Taiwan's defence ministry.
The fly-by happened on the same day the US Navy said a carrier group had entered the disputed South China Sea.
A senior official familiar with Taiwan's security planning told Reuters that officials believed China was sending a message to the United States as the carrier group sailed through the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines and leads into the South China Sea.
"It's strategic intimidation of the US military. They wanted the United States to notice their capability and for them to restrain their behaviour."
Taiwan needs in particular to pay attention to the fact that China's military has started conducting drills in Taiwan's southeastern ADIZ, the source added.
This "to a certain degree was targeting our deployments in the east and increasing air defence pressure around our ADIZ", the source said.
Taiwan's east coast is home to two major air bases with hangers dug out of the side of mountains to provide protection in the event of a Chinese assault.
MELBOURNE: The news that China sent 16 military aircraft to the vicinity of disputed shoals in the South China Sea on the last day of May and prompted the latter to scramble fighter jets in response raised eyebrows among regional defence watchers.
This new development has also understandably set off discussions in Malaysia about its response to what was seen as a show of strength by the regional power.
Malaysia has framed the issue as one of an intrusion into Malaysian airspace by multiple Chinese government aircraft.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) said in a news release on Tuesday (Jun 2) that 16 Xian Y-20 and Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) approached to within 60 nautical miles (112 km) of Malaysia’s coast, flying at speeds of 290 knots (537 kmh) at between 23,000 and 27,000 ft in a tactical line astern formation.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein also said his ministry will issue a diplomatic note of protest and request an explanation from the Chinese Ambassador from Malaysia to explain the “breach of Malaysian airspace and sovereignty”.
The RMAF news release added that the Chinese aircraft, which flew past Beting Patinggi Ali or Luconia Shoals and turning back in the vicinity of nearby James Shoal, did not respond when repeatedly hailed by Malaysian air traffic controllers.
After failing to identify the aircraft detected on radar, the RMAF scrambled its BAE Hawk 208 light combat jets from nearby Labuan to intercept and investigate.
The shoals are located off the coast of Sarawak and lie inside Malaysia’s 200 nm (370 km) Exclusive Economic Zone, although China also lays claim to both, which are within the “nine-dash line” which it uses to claim large swaths of the South China Sea.
Despite the RMAF calling the overflight a “serious matter that threatens national security”, there was technically nothing illegal about it.
The aircraft did not intrude into Malaysia’s territorial airspace and were in international airspace throughout the duration.
And while the large formation of aircraft did not make contact with Malaysian air traffic controllers as they flew in airspace under control of the Kota Kinabalu Flight Information Region (FIR), there are no requirements for military aircraft to comply with civilian aviation rules when operating in international airspace under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules.
Beijing claims nearly all of the strategically vital South China Sea, including waters approaching the coasts of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. (Photo: AFP/Ted Aljibe)
The PLAAF aircraft were also not legally obligated to turn on their transponders that broadcast their identity and intentions. Air traffic controllers use this information to assist in managing the airspace under their control.
Although Malaysian civil aviation authorities exercise air traffic management and administer air traffic services within its assigned FIR on grounds of safety, countries do not have sovereignty over those areas.
Nevertheless, sending 16 military aircraft thousands of kilometres to fly over disputed shoals in the vicinity of a neighbouring country is unquestioningly an unfriendly and intended demonstration of presence and exercise in desensitisation, especially given the PLAAF aircraft flew directly towards the Malaysian coast before turning around.
In addition to cargo, these aircraft could also transport paratroopers, trucks or armoured vehicles in an invasion scenario.
This is not the first time PLAAF jets have approached Malaysia although this is the first time such a large aircraft force has been observed, making the recent overflight an even more noteworthy move.
This is despite a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur calling the exercise merely “routine flight training”. Judging from the aircraft type involved and their composition makes it likely to be a long-range airlift surge exercise to hone the PLAAF’s skills in undertaking large scale air transportation missions over long distances.
Within the same area, however, China and Malaysia have had maritime standoffs near Luconia Shoals where Chinese ships have harassed Malaysian drilling rigs and supply ships in November 2020.
Such incidents take place as often as once a week. While they rarely take place so close to the coast, “this is becoming quite normal”, Institute of Strategic and International Studies’ senior foreign policy analyst Shariman Lockman said last year, speaking to Voice of America.
The incident also gives an insight into how countries deal with unidentified aircraft approaching their airspace.
An H-6 bomber of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force flying near a Taiwan F-16 in a Feb 10, 2020, handout photo. (File photo: Reuters)
The RMAF said the first Chinese aircraft was detected in Singapore’s FIR (assigned by the ICAO and extends far into the South China Sea to almost near Palawan in the Philippines) at 11.53am on May 31.
It added that upon crossing into the Kota Kinabalu FIR, the unidentified aircraft were repeatedly asked to contact air traffic controllers.
When no response was forthcoming, Hawk 208 light combat jets from the RMAF’s Labuan-based 6 Squadron were scrambled to investigate the radar contacts, taking off at 1.33pm.
Judging from the map released by the RMAF which showed the boundary lines between FIRs and the speed of the Chinese jets, the elapsed time between PLAAF jets crossing into Kota Kinabalu FIR and the order to scramble could have been as quick as 20 minutes, assuming RMAF planes were placed on the highest alert status.
An edited audio transcript published by a Malaysian aviation blog of the Malaysian air traffic controllers interacting with other commercial airliners and the RMAF interceptors in the lead up to and the aftermath of the intercept suggests that two Hawk 208s were involved, which is expected as fighter jets typically operate in pairs at a minimum during operational missions.
However, escalating a response to the point of sending interceptors to investigate contacts is not usually required.
If suspicious aircraft respond to air traffic control queries or do not appear to pose a threat to a country’s territory or enter its territorial airspace, they might not be pursued further.
This is also the case in Singapore, with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) saying previously that it investigates “more than 350 suspicious air threats on any given year in order to protect Singapore’s skies".
This works out to an average of almost one per day. The RSAF has on occasion also needed to scramble interceptors when the occasion demanded it, such as when bomb threats were made on commercial flights that had departed from, or bound for, Singapore – like the most recent March 2019 case involving a Singapore Airlines flight from Mumbai.
The Aerostat provides 24/7 low-level radar coverage. (Photo: Jeremy Long)
Singapore’s challenge is compounded by the busy airspace in and around the island and the proximity of a number of foreign airports nearby, which reduce response times when it comes to unidentified aircraft.
It is a challenge for air traffic controllers to decide whether an aircraft already so close to Singapore’s airspace could be left alone or warrant further investigation.
Obviously, having to scramble fighter jets to intercept every single suspicious air contact international airspace will be an onerous task which will rapidly wear out aircraft and personnel. In addition to radio calls which can be ignored or scrambling fighter jets, countries also have the option of asking any nearby aircraft to assist in trying to identify the suspicious aircraft.
This is something Japan has come to realise. The country recently tightened its previously liberal criteria for scrambling fighter jets to intercept foreign military aircraft operating it its expansive Air Defence Identification Zone, with intercepts of what are mostly Chinese and Russian military aircraft dropping to 725 times in its 2020 fiscal year from 947 previously.
Last week’s overflight is yet another reminder of what is often referred to as the “global commons” and the need for nations to share the use of these in transparent, responsible manner.
It is however also a reminder of the security challenges confronting the region, with unresolved territorial disputes and overlapping claims never far from bubbling to the surface.
Mike Yeo is the Asia reporter for US-based defence publication Defense News.
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the country's economy improved this year but called for measures to tackle the "tense" food situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and last year's typhoons, state media said on Wednesday (Jun 16).
Kim chaired a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's central committee on Tuesday to review progress on major policies and craft measures to resolve economic issues, according to the official KCNA news agency.
The committee set goals and tasks to achieve its new five-year economic plan outlined at its previous session in February, including increased food and metal production.
Kim said the overall economy had improved in the first half of the year, with the total industrial output growing 25 per cent from a year before, KCNA said.
But there was "a series of deviations" in the party's efforts to implement the plans due to several obstacles, he said, singling out tight food supplies.
"The people's food situation is now getting tense as the agricultural sector failed to fulfill its grain production plan due to the damage by typhoons last year," Kim said.
The party vowed to direct all efforts to farming this year and discuss ways to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, KCNA said.
Kim called for steps to minimise impacts of natural disasters as a lesson from last year and key to attain this year's goal.
In January, Kim said his previous five-year economic plan had failed in almost every sector, amid chronic power and food shortages exacerbated by sanctions, the pandemic and floods.
He also said the protracted pandemic required the party to step up efforts to provide food, clothing and housing for the people, KCNA said.
North Korea has not officially confirmed any COVID-19 cases, a claim questioned by Seoul officials. But the reclusive country has imposed strict anti-virus measures including border closures and domestic travel restrictions.
COVAX, a global initiative for sharing COVID-19 vaccines with poor countries, has said it will provide nearly 2 million doses to North Korea but the shipment has been delayed amid protracted consultations.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China flew a record 28 fighter jets toward the self-ruled island of Taiwan on Tuesday, the island's defense ministry said, the largest such display of force since Beijing began sending planes on a near daily basis last year.
Taiwan's air force deployed its combat air patrol forces in response and monitored the situation in the southwestern part of the island's air defense identification zone with its air defense systems, the Ministry of National Defense said.
The planes included various types of fighter jets including 14 J-16 and six J-11 planes, as well as bombers, the ministry said.
China's show of force comes after leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations issued a statement Sunday calling for a peaceful resolution of cross-Taiwan Strait issues and underscored the importance of peace and stability.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Tuesday said the G-7 was deliberately "interfering in China’s internal affairs.”
“China’s determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests is unwavering,” he said.
Taiwan and China split during a civil war in 1949, but China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory. Taiwan has been self-ruled since then.
Since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, China has increased diplomatic and military pressure on the government over her refusal to agree to China’s insistence that the island be considered part of Chinese territory.
The vast majority of Taiwanese reject the prospect of political union with China under the “one country, two systems” framework used for Hong Kong.
Since last year, China has been flying fighter jets toward the island almost daily in what it calls a demonstration of its seriousness in defending its national sovereignty.
Previously, the largest such maneuver was in March, when China sent 25 fighter planes toward Taiwan.
TAIPEI - Mr Miles Hu plans to get his Covid-19 vaccination in the United States later this month, joining other anxious Taiwanese who are seeking the jabs elsewhere because of the slow rate of vaccination at home.
"I'm pretty sure Taiwan won't have enough vaccines for everyone until year-end, so I decided to combine a work trip with the vaccination," said the 40-year-old who manages tech investments.
Mr Hu told The Straits Times that he will be travelling to Los Angeles, and plans to book an appointment to get vaccinated at a pharmacy near his Airbnb lodging.
Many American states do not require residency for free Covid-19 vaccines.
While Mr Hu believes that Taiwan has "done a very good job, better than the vast majority of places", with its Covid-19 measures in the past year, he says the government never had a solid plan to ensure that there were enough vaccines for the population of 23.7 million.
After largely keeping Covid-19 contained for a little over a year, infections in Taiwan have grown 10-fold in the past month. The island reported 135 cases on Tuesday (June 15) and eight deaths, bringing the total to 13,241 cases and 460 fatalities.
Taiwan has ordered some 20 million shots from Moderna, AstraZeneca and the Covax global sharing scheme for lower-income places. But the imports have been arriving in small batches that are barely enough for high-risk groups like medical workers and their families.
The island has so far received only 726,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and another 150,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine.
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said on May 29 that the government aims to have at least 60 per cent of the population receive their first jabs by October.
But with only some 3 per cent of the population vaccinated as at last week, many are getting worried or frustrated, while at the same time, struggling to adapt to a soft lockdown - schools as well as entertainment and recreation facilities are shut, and working from home is encouraged.
Those who have foreign citizenship are the luckier ones. Ms Winnie Huang and her partner, both Taiwanese who also hold US citizenship, flew to Taiwan in early May 2020, when Covid-19 cases were skyrocketing in the US.
"I feel lucky to be able to travel to Taiwan while the rest of the world is under lockdown," said 27-year-old Ms Huang.
The couple were able to work remotely for a year, and flew back to the US in late April to get vaccinated - just when a string of local cluster infections broke out in northern Taipei.
As Taiwan continues to extend its second-highest alert level, talk of "vaccine tour groups" spread quickly online.
According to local media, screenshots of messages detailing the itinerary of a "21-day Pfizer Tour" were leaked to reporters in late May. The itinerary began on June 1 in Los Angeles, taking the tour group to get their first jab on June 2, and touring Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego before the second dose back in Los Angeles. The trip reportedly cost NT$350,000 (S$16,800).
The government quickly announced that such tours are illegal, and agencies will be fined up to NT$150,000 and potentially be stripped of their licence.
Some Taiwanese have also headed to China for their jabs. China has opened up vaccination to those from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and other places in the world, but people from Taiwan will have faster access through "green channels", said Mr Xu Zhen-wen, a Taiwanese businessman in China.
The head of a Taiwan business association on the mainland said after their two-week quarantine in China, Taiwanese people can register for free vaccination through an app or at the local Taiwan Affairs Office chapter.
Once approved, they can get their free jabs at "green channels" set up in hospitals, clinics, and vaccination centres across China, "as a way to fast-track vaccination procedures for Taiwanese in China", said Mr Xu.
Mr Kao Ren-mao, 42, and his wife flew to Shanghai in May to get vaccinated. They received their first jab of China's Sinopharm vaccine last Thursday and are waiting for their second one.
A screenshot showing that Mr Kao Ren-mao has received his first Sinopharm vaccine shot. PHOTO: MR KAO REN-MAO
Mr Kao told The Straits Times that he knows at least a dozen more Taiwanese who opted to do the same, complaining that "the Taiwanese government is taking too long to vaccinate everyone".
"I wanted to bring the whole family but most of them couldn't leave work for over a month," said Mr Kao, who works for a transportation company based in China's Hefei city, but has been working remotely in Taiwan for a year.
