TAIPEI, Reuters – Taiwan’s Air Force scrambled to alert nine Chinese planes that had entered its air defense zone on Thursday. This was the Taiwan Defense Ministry’s second attempt at preventing them from entering. It also happened on the day when Russia invaded Ukraine. A situation being closely monitored in Taipei.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its territory, complained about regular Chinese airforce missions over the past two years. However, the planes do not approach Taiwan.

It was far less than the number of Chinese aircraft that flew by on Jan. 23. However, these fly-bys are now much more frequent and involve far fewer aircraft.

Ministry officials said that the mission included eight Chinese J-16 fighters, and one Y-8 reconnaissance airplane. They flew over an area north of Taiwan’s Pratas Islands.

Taiwanese fighters sent up to alert the Chinese planes and air defense missiles were used to “monitor them”, according to the ministry. This is standard language for Taiwan’s response.

Taiwan was watching carefully the Ukraine crisis. It is nervous that China might try to use it as an opportunity to make a move on the island.

However, Taipei does not have any reports of unusual Chinese movements. The government however has increased its alert.

China never abandoned the use force to control Taiwan and regularly condemns U.S. weapons sales and other support.

When asked by reporters in Beijing about Thursday’s new U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy the Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei stated that Taiwan is a core issue of China and would not tolerate any foreign interference.

Tan stated, “We ask the U.S. to recognize the Taiwan question’s high sensitiveness and refrain from interfering with China’s internal affairs.”

The 12-page Indo-Pacific Strategy Overview, published earlier in the month by the Biden Administration, stated that the administration would commit additional diplomatic and security resources for the region.

Washington said that Taiwan would be cooperating with its partners from both within and outside of the region in order to preserve peace and stability along the strait which divides Taiwan and China.