Premier Su Tseng-chang says that Taiwan can scramble jets in response to Chinese incursions into its air space within six minutes. Su was responding Friday to a demand from a DPP lawmaker for the government to clarify its position on recent Chinese breaches of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
Su said that these incursions are unwelcome, and that Taiwan’s military is prepared to react to them immediately when they happen. He said the closer Chinese warplanes come, the bigger Taiwan’s reaction will be, and that Taiwan’s air force will chase off any Chinese jets that come close. He also called on China to stop the incursions, saying there is no need for them to harass the area surrounding Taiwan in this way.