TAIPEI, Reuters – Taiwan’s air force rushed on Sunday to alert eight Chinese fighter jets, including those that had entered its air defense zone. This was at a time when tensions were high in the delicate Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan complained about repeated Chinese air attacks on Taiwan for more than a year. Often, the missions were in the southwest part of China’s air defense zone.

According to a defense ministry statement, six J-16 fighters were included in the Chinese plane, as well as one anti-submarine and one surveillance aircraft.

China considers Taiwan its sovereign territory. China is open to taking Taiwan by force. Taiwan’s military activities are being investigated by China. Taiwan repeatedly pledges its independence and democracy.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Chinese counterpart on Sunday that the United States opposed actions https://www.reuters.com/world/blinken-warns-china-against-unilateral-action-regarding-taiwan-2021-10-31 by China that have increased tensions across the Taiwan Strait, a senior State Department official said.

Official said during an hour-long discussion with Wang Yi (Chinese Foreign Minister), Blinken “crystal clarified” that Washington does not support any unilateral Beijing change to the statusquo.

According to a Chinese foreign ministry statement, Wang said that Taiwan tensions were due to U.S. support of pro-independence forces.

Taipei considers Beijing’s recent military exercise in Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone part of a larger military harassment campaign.

Taiwan President Tsai ING-wen states that Taiwan is independent and has prioritized modernizing its armed forces. Although they are well-armed, their ranks are dwarfed by China.

Taiwan earlier this month reported that 148 Chinese aircraft were operating in the area’s southern and southwest theatres. This was a significant increase in tensions between Taipei (China) and Beijing.

Not in Taiwan’s Air Space, Chinese planes have flown there. Taiwan has an air defense identification zone (ADIZ), which Taiwan patrols to ensure it is ready to deal with any threat.