Taiwan tells China to 'back-off' as airspace 'incursions' rise

Taiwan PresidentTsaiIng-wen on Tuesday told Chinato ''back-off'' after the rise inairspace ''incursion'' by the Chinese jets.

Tension between China and the democratic island Beijingclaims as sovereign Chinese territory have spiked to their highest in years, with Taiwanese fighters jets scramblingto intercept the Chinese aircraft last week.

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Visitinga major air force base on Penghu in the sensitive Taiwan Strait that divides the two sides,Tsaitold pilots and engineers she was aware of their "heroic performance" when interceptingand drivingaway Chinese aircraft.

"I have a lot of confidence in you. As soldiers of the Republic of China, how could we let enemies strut around in our own airspace?" she said, usingTaiwan's formal name.

"I'm aware that facingthe provocative behaviour of the communist planes that have encircled the island and damaged regional peace in recent days, your duty at the front line of the airspace in Penghu must be even heavier."

The base, now home to F-CK-1 Ching-kuo Indigenous Defence Fighters (IDF) which first entered service in 1997, is at the front line of Taiwan's response to Chinese military intrusions.

Wang Chia-chu, one of the senior officers of the "Heavenly Colt" IDF squadron, said there is just five minutes' time to scramble fighters once Chinese aircraft are spotted.

"We will defend our airspace in real time as long as there's a threat," Wang said.

Another senior officer, speakingon condition of anonymity, said the Penghu-based IDFs are now scrambling"almost every day" as tension run high.

The air force also put on display its new Wan Chien air-to-ground cruise missiles that entered service in 2018 and can be fired from IDFs at targets about 200 km (125 miles) away, puttingChinese facilities or approachingships in their sights.

Separately, Defence Minister Yen Teh-fa oversaw drills simulatinga response to an air attack, involvingall Taiwan's air bases as well as naval and surface-to-air missile units, the ministry said.

"The enemy threat grows by the day," it cited Yen as saying. "On no account allow the enemy to step out of line, and defend the country's sovereignty, democracy and freedom."

Crossing the mid line

Unusually, Chinese aircraft last week breached the mid line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial barrier for combat aircraft of both sides, though they have not flown over mainland Taiwan.

On Monday, China's foreign ministry said the line did not exist, drawingcondemnation from Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

In Taipei on Tuesday, Wu called the line an important "symbol" for avoidingmilitary clashes.

"We demand the international community strongly condemns China's words and actions and demand the Chinese government stops everythingthat it has been doing," he added.

China has been angered by stepped-up USsupport for democratic Taiwan, includinga visit to Taipei last week by USUndersecretary for Economic Affairs Keith Krach.

Taiwanese fighters have scrambled many times this year to intercept Chinese aircraft.