(PresidentialInsider.com)- While China has so far failed to officially offer support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Chinese Air Force appears to be provoking Taiwan right as Russia invades.
On Thursday, the Taiwanese air force scrambled fighter jets to warn Chinese aircraft to leave their defense zone. Nine Chinese planes were seen entering Taiwanese air space – and the story was effectively buried by the fact that the world’s eyes were focused on Ukraine.
Taiwan, which China claims as part of its own territory, said that Chinese aircraft have been performing exercises in its air space for the last two years. The planes never quite enter Taiwan, however, proving that China is doing what Russia did before it officially invaded Ukraine… threatening the security of a sovereign nation.
Nine aircraft entering Taiwanese air space is significantly less than the 39 aircraft that entered the region on January 23, but it’s still worth recognizing as dangerous. The date chosen by the Chinese military is important, too.
According to Taiwanese officials, eight Chinese J-16 fighters entered Taiwan’s air space and one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft followed. They flow over a region to the northeast of the Pratas Islands which are controlled by Taiwan.
Taiwan instructed its own air force to scramble jets and warn the Chinese aircraft to stay away.
Now, it may only be a matter of time before China is brave enough to do exactly what Russia just did with Ukraine. The only thing standing in their way is the possibility of being hit by sanctions from the West – although, with the West relying so heavily on Chinese manufacturing, it’s hard to imagine the U.S. and Europe placing particularly severe sanctions on China any time soon.
