Taiwan Air Force jets roared throughout a drill on Wednesday mimicking an actual conflict situation, portraying its preparedness to battle amid military tensions with China, which claims the island for itself. Flight crews from the US-made F-16 fighter jet base in the town of Chiayi rushed to the prepared aircraft with an alert prior to take off, in which Chinese warplanes are continually intercepted.

Three days of exercises were held to demonstrate Taiwan's readiness for the Lunar New Year holiday coming up at the end of the month. Taiwan has complained repeatedly of Chinese air force missions near its democratic island in the past few years, sparking tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan patrols and monitors the airspace around the island, which is part of the China's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Chinese military aircraft frequently fly into this zone.

"With the very high frequency of Communist planes entering our ADIZ, pilots from our wing are very experienced and have dealt with almost all types of their aircraft," Yen Hsiang-sheng said earlier this year that he intercepted Chinese J-16 fighters late last year on a mission.

Using force to take Taiwan under its control would not be out of the question for China. According to Taiwanese officials, China's activities constitute "grey zone" warfare, intended both to exhaust Taiwan's military through constant scrambling, and to test its response.

Taipei President Tsai Ing-wen said last week that military conflict isn't the answer during her new year message to China. In response, Beijing has warned Taiwan if it crosses any red lines, it will lead to "profound catastrophe".

Recent developments come at a time when tensions between Chinese Taipei, China, and the United States have locked their horns. During the past year, Chinese fighter jets have been flying close to Chinese Taipei, and US troops have reportedly been stationed in the territory for alleged training purposes.

In the first five days of October, 150 Chinese aircraft swooped over Taiwan's self-designated air defense identification zone. According to Taiwan's defense ministry, the show of force was an "incursion."

President Joe Biden expressed support for Taipei if it were attacked by China, claiming the US would do everything possible to defend it.

Chinese officials criticized the statement, accusing Washington of interfering with internal affairs in the country. Chinese Taipei is part of Chinese territory, and all world countries recognize this sovereignty under the "One China" policy. While the United States recognizes China's sovereignty over the island, it has for decades courted Taiwan in defiance of Beijing.

Image source: Wion news