China – Taiwan: War On The Horizon, Or A Tempest In A Teapot?

Over the last week or so the People’s Republic of China (PRC) sent about 150 military aircraft – bombers, fighters, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine planes though Taiwan’s ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone). An ADIZ is not legally Taiwan’s territory but Taipei does claim authority to monitor and control what flies through it. Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) planes regularly intrude on Taiwan’s ADIZ, but this time the numbers were more than ever before. And the mix of aircraft was similar to what one would use in combat operations. Improving PLA capabilities Xi Jinping means it when he says he will seize…