This afternoon, Taiwan’s authorities revealed the aircraft entered the country’s southwest Air Defense Identification Zone. The ADIZ is airspace over land or water in which the identification, location, and control of civil aircraft must be given to the relevant authorities – in this case Taiwan.
It comes amid rising tensions between the two countries.
Taiwan’s Government was originally created in the 1950s in the aftermath of the Chinese civil war by remnants of the nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek’s regime.
China’s mainland has been ruled by communists since the war ended – and it has always claimed sovereignty over Taiwan – which is officially called the Republic of China.
As the communist state’s economic and military power has grown significantly over recent decades – it has adopted an increasingly hostile stance towards Taiwan.
Earlier this week it said it would hold those who support “Taiwan independence” criminally liable for life, provoking anger and ridicule from the island.
This would involve not allowing blacklisted individuals to enter China and its special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said.
Their companies or entities that fund them would not be allowed to profit from the mainland, she also said.
It has also not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control – stoking fears that it could invade at some point in the future.
This threat comes despite the island operating as an independent country, and its government vowing to defend its freedom and democracy.
