Officials condemned the manoeuvre as an “irrational” act that endangered lives, undermined humanitarian rescue operations and posed a serious threat to flight safety.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which oversees cross-strait policy, said on Tuesday that the incident was part of a new pattern of “aerial grey-zone harassment” designed to test Taiwan’s military responses.
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Taiwan launches ‘urban resilience’ drills to test war readiness amid PLA pressure
Taiwan launches ‘urban resilience’ drills to test war readiness amid PLA pressure
“Targeting even medical aircraft reflects not only a disregard for human life but also an open challenge to universal values,” the council said in a statement, demanding that Beijing immediately halt such provocations.
Taiwanese military officials believe the encounter was intended to show Beijing’s jurisdiction over the strait’s airspace and probe Taiwan’s reaction.
“The incident may mark a new pattern of ‘aerial grey-zone harassment’, in which PLA aircraft exploit areas west of the median line where the military has little room to respond,” a military source said on condition of anonymity.
