Article in The Times.
Chinese spy planes try to fly under Taiwan’s radar
A Chinese spy plane attempted to fly underneath Taiwan’s radar detection as it gathered intelligence and tested the island’s air defences.
The Y-8 tactical reconnaissance aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) flew 30 metres above sea level off Taiwan yesterday as part of China’s growing military manoeuvres around the self-governing island.
Chinese aircraft have made almost daily incursions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone since September. This was the lowest flight so far in an area that acts as a buffer between international airspace and a nation’s territorial airspace.
Lin Yin-yu, a professor at the Institute of Strategic and International Affairs at National Chung Cheng University in southern Taiwan, told the South China Morning Post that the low-altitude flight served to test the Taiwanese military’s radar response capability.
“By flying at an altitude of 30 metres, the PLA plane was testing if it could fly beneath the radio wave coverage area,” Lin said.
In Taiwan, however, the defence ministry said that it responded to the incursion by scrambling civil air patrol aircraft, issuing radio warnings and deploying the air defence missile system to monitor the spy plane.
Tensions over the Taiwan Strait have escalated sharply over recent months. Beijing has vowed to unify with what it considers a runaway province. Washington, which has a security pact with Taiwan to supply sufficient hardware and technology to fend off any mainland invasions, has pledged its support.
Last week China made a rare public display of its naval powers by commissioning three advanced warships, including its first amphibious attack ship, on the same day. Chinese military experts claimed that the ships would play “important roles in solving questions in places like the island of Taiwan and the South China Sea”.
Chang Yen-ting, a former Taiwanese air force vice-commander, told the South China Morning Post that flying so close to the surface tested a pilot’s skill because there was a risk that optical illusions would cause them to misjudge the plane’s height.
“This is why most of these flights are conducted in the daytime,” he said, noting that the clear sky and the good visibility in the morning allowed the spy plane to fly at such a low altitude over sea.
Experts believe that the Chinese military are frequently sending their planes near Taiwan not only to train pilots but also to collect intelligence on the island and the US military deployment in the region. The missions also serve to keep pressure on the island and wear down the Taiwanese air force.
Meanwhile, Beijing chided Canberra after Peter Dutton, the Australian defence minister, said that conflict with China over Taiwan should not be discounted.
Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said that it was important that Australia was “prudent in its words and deeds” and acted to enhance “peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.