John Adoyi, PBA Journalism Mentee
US military helicopters have breached Chinese ‘territorial airspace’ for two consecutive days – August 28 and 29 – forcing Chinese warplane to warn the US military aircraft in Mandarin and English.
Tensions between the United States and China worsened considerably in the aftermath of Nancy Pelosi’s defiant visit to Taiwan in early August prompting Beijing to conduct major warship and military maneuvers to show strength.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelCiting radio transmissions, Taiwan ADIZ, a local military enthusiast on its Facebook page detected and documented all broadcasts relating to the airspace breach by the US on August 28 and 29 and noted that Chinese fighters intercepted American military aircraft and ”the latter finally left Chinese airspace,” according to www.eurasiantimes.com.
Approaching China’s east coast from the Taiwan Strait at 8.14 a.m., the US military helicopters reportedly heard radio transmissions saying, ”I am a United States military aircraft conducting lawful military activities in international airspace and exercising these rights as guaranteed by international law. I am operating with due regard to the rights and duties of all states.”
Both pilots were reported to have recited the same message over the next hour. ”This is the Chinese PLA Air Force; you have entered China’s territorial Airspace, a serious violation of China’s sovereignty #; leave immediately, leave immediately!” announced the PLA Air Force pilot at 10.32 am in Mandarin and English.
READ ALSO: China Suspends Cooperation With US, Sanctions Pelosi Over Taiwan Visit
Again, the PLA was overheard around 10 a.m. on August 29 advising a US military airplane that it was getting closer to Chinese territory and must leave immediately. The US aircraft however proceeded on its course despite being warned that it had crossed ”China’s territorial airspace” and needed to ;eave immediately.
It is believed that the MH-60 Seahawk helicopters are from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, the USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62). These two warships on August 28 entered the Tawan Strait. The two ships have two Sikorsky SH-60B or MH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters.
Tiawan local media reports that radio interactions with Chinese military warships have become routine. ”Even though we have each other’s position, we cannot agree with each other,” said Li Kuang-ping, the captain of the Tawan Navy’s Cheng Kung-class ship. He noted that he frequently communicates with Chinese Navy ships over the radio while monitoring ships at sea as both sides issue warnings to avoid each other, reports CNA.
