Taiwan lands fighter jets on highway to counter China

An US-made F-16V fighter jet lands on the freeway in Changhua county, central Taiwan, as local air fans take photos during the 35th Han Kuang drill on May 28, 2019. AFP

CHANGHUA, Taiwan — Taiwan has landed warplanes on a normally busy highway to simulate a response to a Chinese attack on its airfields.

Tuesday’s exercise is part of annual drills designed to showcase the island’s military capabilities and resolve to repel an attack from across the Taiwan Strait amid perceptions of a rising threat.

China considers the island its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary.

President Tsai Ing-wen presided at the exercise in the southern county of Changhua. She said China’s long-distance training exercises, including sending fighter jets to circle the island, were threatening regional peace and stability, requiring Taiwan to maintain a high degree of vigilance.

Aircraft deployed included U.S.-made F-16, French Mirage 2000 and Taiwan-made IDF fighter jets and U.S.-made E-2K airborne early warning aircraft. /cbb