Taiwan Announces That Any Chinese Military Flights Into Its Airspace Will Be Treated As A 'First Strike'

Bloomberg: Taiwan Will Treat China Flights Into Airspace as 'First Strike' 

(Bloomberg) -- Taiwan warned it would treat any Chinese incursion into the island’s airspace as a “first strike,” as Taipei seeks to deter Beijing from ratcheting up military pressure around the island. 

Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told lawmakers in Taipei that the ministry was taking such incursions more seriously after a recent spate of closer flights by Chinese warplanes and drones.

Pressed on whether any warplane’s violation of Taiwan’s airspace would be viewed as a first strike, Chiu said, “Yes,” without elaborating what the response would be. 

“In the past, we said we won’t be the first to strike, which meant we won’t do it without them firing artillery shells or missiles, et cetera, first,” Chiu said Wednesday. 

“But now the definition has obviously changed, as China used means like drones. So we have adjusted, and will view any crossing of aircraft or vessels as a first strike.”  

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WNU Editor: If I was in Taiwan I would not be saying this .... Taiwan says it will not rely on others for defense (Reuters). 

Taiwan Will Treat Chinese Military Flights Into Its Airspace As 'First Strike'  

Taiwan defines Chinese military flights into airspace as '1st strike' -- Taiwan News  

Taiwan will treat Chinese military flights into its airspace as ‘first strike,’ defense minister says -- CNN  

Taiwan will treat Chinese warplane incursions into its airspace as ‘first strike’ -- Independent  

Taiwan vows to respond to China’s military flight incursions -- AP  

Taiwan Warns of Own 'Red Line' As China's Military Edges Ever Closer -- Newsweek