Taiwan deploys F-16 fighter jets, strengthens defence in face of threats from China

An upgraded US-made F-16V fighter jet is displayed during a ceremony at the Chiayi Air Force in southern Taiwan. Pic/AFP

Taiwan has deployed the most advanced version of the F-16 fighter jet in its air force, as the self-ruled island steps up its defence capabilities in the face of continuing threats from China, which claims it as part of its territory.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen commissioned into service 64 upgraded F-16V fighter jets at an air force base in Chiayi on Thursday. The aircraft represents part of Taiwan's total 141 F-16 A/B jets, an older model from the 1990s that will be completely retrofitted by the end of 2023.

Tsai said the upgrade project showed the strength of Taiwan's cooperation with the US defence industry. It comes at a time the island's status has become a major point of tension in the US-China relationship. Beijing has been stepping up its threat by sending fighter jets in combat formations into Taiwan's buffer zone southwest of the island on a regular basis, along with longer-range missions into the Western Pacific.

China has increased its rhetoric as well, with President Xi Jinping telling President Joe Biden during a virtual summit this week that challenges to China's claim over the island amounted to playing with fire. China and Taiwan split during a civil war in 1949, and Beijing has not ruled out force to reunify with the island. The United States' ‘One China' policy recognises Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations and defence ties with Taipei.

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