TAIPEI (BLOOMBERG) - China's air force sent 28 aircraft close to Taiwan, the largest sortie this year, further ratcheting up military pressure on the government in Taipei as it seeks to strengthen ties with the US. The 28 People's Liberation Army aircraft, including 14 J-16 and six J-11 fighters, were detected in Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday (June 15), Taiwan's defence ministry said in a statement. Taipei's military sent patrol aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the activity. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to take control of the island through military intervention. So long as the PLA Air Force acts in accordance with international norms and agreements, the chances of an accident are small, Mr Thompson said.
