Chinese military plane enters Taiwan's ADIZ on Moon Festival

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) A Chinese Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine patrol plane entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Thursday, as the Chinese world celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND), the military responded by scrambling planes to intercept, issued radio warnings and mobilized surveillance and air defense assets.

The incursion happened on the day when Taiwanese people, along with Chinese communities around the world, are celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival, by watching the full moon and enjoying mooncakes.

The occasion is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on Oct. 1 in the western calendar this year.

This was the ninth incursion by Chinese military planes into airspace near Taiwan since Sept. 16, one day before Taiwan's military established a section on its website to make public the latest movements of the Chinese military near Taiwan.

Based on information on the MND website, most incursions by the Chinese military occurred on Sept. 19, when 19 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft either crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwan's southwest ADIZ.