Taiwan says China entered air defence zone for third straight day

Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The Taiwan air force said Monday that more than a dozen Chinese fighter jets, four bombers and one surveillance craft intruded in Taiwan's air defense zone.

Taiwan responded to the intrusion Sunday by tracking the craft with land-based missiles, scrambling fighter jets and broadcasting radio warnings. Sunday was the third straight day the Chinese air force dispatched two or more aircraft to the zone, according to Taiwan News.

Taiwan military fears the fleet could include aircraft designed for electronic warfare.

China has regarded Taiwan as a breakaway province but Taipei sees itself as a sovereign state. For more than a year, Taipei has expressed outrage over repeated missions by the Chinese air force near the island.

The zone is self-declared by Taiwan but remains international air space. An air defense identification zone is outside of a country's national airspace but where foreign aircraft are still identified, monitored and controlled.

China has not responded.