MND reports 23 Chinese aircraft entering Taiwan’s airspace

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported Friday (Oct. 27) 23 instances of Chinese aircraft entering Taiwan's peripheral airspace.

According to the flight path, one BZK-005 drone crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and flew in a circle around Taiwan. Meanwhile, one Harbin Z-9 anti-submarine helicopter was spotted conducting anti-submarine drills in the eastern sea.

MND released late Thursday a black-and-white aerial photograph of the People's Liberation Army Navy's Shandong aircraft carrier, which had entered the West Pacific via the Bashi Channel.

In response to the deployment of the Shandong and companions to the West Pacific, the MND will use joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance to closely monitor maritime and air dynamics.

According to MND's report, one of the 23 instances involved a BZK-005 drone, which was detected entering the northern airspace from the north end of the Taiwan Strait median line. The process remains in Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Additionally, another Harbin Z-9 anti-submarine helicopter was confirmed in the eastern waters, believed to have flown from the Shandong aircraft carrier while executing anti-submarine warfare drills.