Taiwan releases photo after Chinese carrier breaches air defense zone

Taiwan scrambled warships on Wednesday, in response to a Chinese aircraft carrier and its convoy approaching the island after completing drills. The People Liberation Army''s Liaoning aircraft carrier did not cross into Taiwan''s waters, but it did pass through Taiwan''s air defense identification zone, in which foreign aircraft are asked to identify themselves. The passage, which ended without incident, is only the latest escalation of cross-strait military tensions.

This photo of the Liaoning aircraft carrier was taken by surveillance aircraft after it entered Taiwan’s ADIZ.

Chang Che-ping (April 22)
Deputy defense minister
On April 22 the Liaoning carrier passed through our eastern waters. We scrambled many planes and vessels in response. Our response was not affected by the “Fleet of Friendship” incident, as we had already made some adjustments.

The Ministry of National Defense said that on April 12, the Liaoning carrier and a convoy of five ships passed through the Bashi Channel into the South China Sea for training. After completing training on Wednesday, the vessels did not return to port but continued moving east, entering Taiwan’s ADIZ. The Navy’s 168th Fleet stationed in Su’ao was immediately sent to monitor the battle group. Two of the vessels that had been part of the “Fleet of Friendship,” the Kan Ding frigate and the Yueh Fei, were also dispatched to join the surveillance mission. The incident marked China’s 7th military provocation this year.

China has ramped up its military intimidation of Taiwan since the coronavirus outbreak. There were six instances from Jan. 23 to April 10. In one of those cases, Chinese military aircraft flew past the median line of the Taiwan Strait. This time, following the approach of the aircraft carrier, the Ministry of National Defense made public a photo of the Liaoning. The move has been interpreted differently by KMT and DPP lawmakers.

Chen Yu-chen
KMT lawmaker
CCP aircraft circling Taiwan are major incidents, but images were not released after those incidents. If the defense ministry had been releasing photos all along, then of course this would just be considered standard protocol. But this is the first time that they’ve done something like this. Doing so at this time, intentionally releasing the photo… Could it be that they want to divert attention from something else?

Lo Chih-cheng
DPP lawmaker
The CCP was testing Taiwan’s military, to see whether the internal disturbances had weakened it. So it was a provocation, but also a way to test Taiwan. So at this time I think we need to support our Navy.

Some lawmakers say the military released the photo to boost morale and to assure the public of its commitment to defend Taiwan.

[jnp]

they're not contented with the biowar. my goodness the greediness of china is one of a kind.

[tellydianadayondon]

Taiwan is a country!
Much love from Philippines.

[erica-ivte]

The world needs to support Taiwan and make that support clear to China.

[meggrotte]

I am sure many countries would come to the aid to Taiwan

[riphaven]

that carrier will make a nice artificial reef.

[edilbertoobellos]

China's desperate... economically devastated... This could be the end of CCP.

[ayn]

Canada here, I wouldn't mind making a small contribution to fund the US military.

[handsomeknight]

Mabuhay Taiwan! Respect and salute for Taiwan from the Philippines!

[Topazman]

The world should ally with Taiwan to protect it against the CCP.

[jonjones]

Say hello to Taiwan and good bye to China.

[MrLee-qzgy]

I will support Taiwan no matter what if called to fight.❤🇹🇼❤🇵🇭❤🇺🇸

[stuartsabin]

Surprised that old Russian carrier still floats.

[hunkyvampire]

Taiwan Vietnam Singapore Malaysia Philippines Indonesia should all unite and fight

[Nicole.]

Support to Taiwan from me here in New Zealand

[bymvtql]

We the world should stop funding china by avoiding as many Chinese items as possible be it hardware or software. If they are hit economically they will feel the heat. If all the countries in South East Asia and South Asia put extra taxes on Chinese imports to make them as costly as the local production then it will be a fair market for the indigenous goods.

[nbenicewicz]

They're still using black and white cameras? If I didn't know better I would have thought that the picture was taken back in the 1970s.

[yellowchina]

Taiwan has the best president in the world now 👑 # Great Taiwan

[Autechltd]

The CCP behavior is like a little kid finding a big stick.

[chrisramayla]

Support to Taiwan from the Philippines

[rurounikenshin]

Liaoning is a scarecrow! A floating shell