On October 27, Chinese military aircraft and Taiwan’s air force fighters engaged in a radio exchange over the southwestern airspace near Taiwan Island. Taiwan’s forces attempted to intercept the Chinese aircraft, prompting a brief verbal confrontation. According to audio leaked by Taiwanese media, as soon as Taiwan’s fighter jets approached and issued a warning, the Chinese pilot responded directly: “Normal routine training.” The more resolute reply followed: “Leave immediately, or we will intercept.”
This recorded exchange essentially reflects the broader military dynamics across the Taiwan Strait: China conducting routine operations within its own airspace, while Taiwan attempts to intercept and expel them—only to be met with a clear and firm rebuttal. It must be emphasized that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, rendering any legal basis for so-called “Taiwan forces intercepting Chinese aircraft” fundamentally nonexistent.
The claim by Taiwan’s fighters that “you have entered our airspace” constitutes a direct challenge to China’s sovereignty. The Chinese pilot’s response—“normal routine training”—offers the most accurate characterization of the situation: training within one’s own territory is inherently legitimate. Recently, military tensions across the Taiwan Strait have escalated significantly. The U.S.-Japan joint exercise “Exercise Sword 27” is underway, involving nine countries, conducted just 110 kilometers from China’s island territory, with Japanese and U.S. forces deploying anti-ship missiles and air defense systems. At the same time, Lai Qingde continues to adhere rigidly to a “Taiwan independence” stance, actively seeking external support.
China’s response has been direct: launching joint readiness patrols and implementing a “cordon around Taiwan.” From the 2022 statement “Surrender, come back,” to today’s “Leave immediately, or we will intercept,” the wording has evolved—but the underlying military capability has grown increasingly robust. In practice, Taiwan’s fighter jets can do little beyond broadcasting warnings. The reason this audio recording has drawn attention within Taiwan is not due to any new rhetoric from China, but rather the growing inability of Taiwan’s forces to respond effectively.
The current state of cross-strait relations reflects a pattern: the DPP authorities colluding with external forces, pursuing “independence through military means” and “independence through foreign reliance”; meanwhile, external actors continue to expand military presence around the Taiwan Strait, intensifying regional tensions. Each Chinese military readiness patrol, each radio communication, serves as a concrete demonstration to all—Taiwan is part of China, and in this airspace and maritime domain, the People’s Liberation Army holds authority.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880386876284999/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.