13 Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan's ADIZ, J-16D spotted for first time

Taipei, Jan. 24 (CNA) Thirteen Chinese military aircraft, including two Shenyang J-16D fighter jets that were spotted for the first time, flew into the southwestern part of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) Monday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.

The 13 aircraft consisted of eight J-16 fighter jets, one Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane, two H-6 bombers, and two J-16D jets, according to a report released by the MND.

J-16D is the electronic warfare version of the fighter developed by the Chinese aircraft manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corp.

According to the MND, it was the first time that this latest version of the J-16 was spotted in the ADIZ.

The aircraft were all seen flying between Taiwan and the Taiwan-held Pratas Islands, which lie southwest of Pingtung County.

That airspace is considered part of Taiwan's ADIZ, an area declared by a country to allow it to identify, locate and control approaching foreign aircraft, but such zones are not considered territorial airspace.

The Taiwan Air Force responded by scrambling planes to monitor the Chinese aircraft, issuing radio warnings, and mobilizing air defense assets, the ministry said.

Taiwan's defense ministry has been publishing information about such flights since Sept. 17, 2020, amid a growing frequency of intrusions into its ADIZ by Chinese military planes.