Taiwan Sends Jets After Chinese Planes 11/29 06:08

   

   TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Taiwan said 27 Chinese aircraft entered its air 
defense buffer zone on Sunday, the latest in a long series of incursions as 
part of Beijing's pressure on the self-ruled island.

   The Defense Ministry said Taiwan scrambled combat aircraft to "warn" the 
Chinese planes to leave. It also deployed missile systems to monitor them.

   Sunday's incursion included 18 fighter jets and five H-6 bombers, as well as 
a Y-20 aerial refueling aircraft, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry.

   The Chinese aircraft flew into Taiwan's air defense identification zone near 
the southern part of the island and out into the Pacific Ocean before returning 
to China, according to a map by Taiwan authorities.

   Over the past year, the frequency of Chinese incursions has increased, with 
about 150 aircraft over a period of four days.

   China's air force mission toward Taiwan came as Chinese President Xi Jinping 
met with officers at a military conference, where he called for military talent 
cultivation to support and strengthen the armed forces, according to 
state-owned news agency Xinhua.

   Xi said that talent is imperative in achieving victory in military 
competition and gaining the upper hand in future wars, according to Xinhua.

   China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, to be brought 
under its control by force if necessary. It refuses to recognize the island's 
government and has increasingly sought to isolate the independence-leaning 
administration of President Tsai Ing-wen.

   Taiwan and China split during a civil war in 1949, and Beijing opposes 
Taiwan's involvement in international organizations.