China sends 39 aircraft into Taiwan ADIZ, countering big U.S. drill

Largest incursion since October includes 34 jet fighters and a bomber

China sent multiple J-16 fighters and reconnaissance planes into Taiwan's ADIZ on Jan. 23. (File photos courtesy of Taiwan's Defense Ministry)

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia chief desk editor

January 24, 2022 02:13 JST

NEW YORK -- China sent 39 military aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), the island's Defense Ministry said Sunday, in an escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The sorties consisted of 24 Shenyang J-16 tandem-seat, twinjet fighters and 10 Chengdu J-10 single-engine fighters, along with one bomber and four electronic intelligence aircraft.