Yesterday China carried out a new and extensive military exercise around the island of Taiwan, using the new Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, H-6K strategic bomber fighters, J-11 jets and KJ rapid alert aircraft. -200.
The Sukhoi Su-35 fighter and H-6K strategic bombers flew over the Bashi Canal, located between the island of Taiwan and the northern islands of the Philippines, while J-11 jets and KJ-200 rapid-flight aircraft They flew over the Miyako Strait, located between the island of Taiwan and Japan, according to a spokesman for the Japanese Air Force.
This military exercise took place for the first time in the Bashi Straits by Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets since their entry into service, which took place last April. These fighter aircraft of Russian origin represent the new version of the Su-27 fighters and the Beijing government has ordered 24 to be equipped with long-range air-to-air missiles.
The Chinese already last April 17, with the navy carried out a "real" exercise 40 km from the island of Taiwan, using real ammunition. According to the One China Policy principle, the island of Taiwan belongs to China and, therefore, its independence cannot be recognized by states that have diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.
Following the 2016 election as president of Tsai Ing Wen, leader of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, Beijing's concerns about Taiwan's future have increased. Although President Tsai reiterated her commitment to keep peace with the People's Republic of China, the Beijing government has decided to increase pressure on the island by resorting to military exercises off its coast and in the Taiwan Strait.
The Chinese attitude, however, prompted the Taiwanese government to announce at the beginning of the year an increase for the defense of the island, with the aim of acquiring technologically advanced weapons capable of acting as a deterrent against Beijing. . "The weapons Taiwan needs most are submarines, fighter jets and ballistic missile defense systems," said Ian Easton, an American researcher at the Project 2049 Institute.
The only country capable of satisfying Taiwan's military request is the United States. However, their progressive rapprochement to the island, sanctioned by the "Taiwan Travel Act" which allows US government officials of any level to reach the island to meet their respective counterparts and discuss bilateral trade relations, is another obstacle to the distension between China and the United States, especially as a result of the question of duties.