The Chinese Z-10 attack helicopter crossed the middle line over the Taiwan Strait for the first time, but the specific mission is unknown.
Defense Force Taiwan said the military Z-10 attack helicopter China entered the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) around the island yesterday. This military helicopter also crossed the “middle line”, the line that is understood to be the line that demarcates the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese Z-10 helicopters during a drill in 2020. Photo: National Defense of China.
A squadron of Chinese navy Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters also operates in the southwestern Taiwan ADIZ, apparently coming from warships operating in these waters. It is not clear whether the mission of the Z-10 is related to the operation of the Ka-28 squadron.
China’s Ministry of National Defense has not commented on the report.
Chinese military aircraft rarely cross the median line over the Taiwan Strait. The squadron of J-10, J-11 and J-16 fighters on September 19, 2020 crossed the median line, approaching Taiwan at the same time as US Deputy Secretary of State Keith Krach visited the island. However, this is the first time that a Chinese military helicopter has performed a similar operation.
The flight of the Z-10 took place on the same day that the US cruiser USS Port Royal passed through the Taiwan Strait, marking the first time a US cruiser appeared in this area since early 2020.
Beijing has repeatedly criticized similar activities by the US warship, calling it “a provocative act, sending the wrong signal to the Taiwan independence forces, and deliberately undermining peace and stability.” of the region”.
The median line (blue) along the Taiwan Strait. Graphics: FT.
China has always considered Taiwan as a province awaiting reunification and declared its readiness to use force if necessary. In recent years, the Chinese military has held many exercises around Taiwan with modern weapons, forcing the island government to increase investment in defensive weapons systems.
The US is committed to respecting the “One China” principle, but continues to maintain relations with Taiwan and provides the island with a variety of weapons and military equipment. A group of US senators, including Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez, on April 13 visited the island of Taiwan. The Chinese side then warned the US “not to play with fire”.
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe once stated that China’s relations with the US “will be broken if the Taiwan issue is not properly handled”.
Vu Anh (According to Drive)
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