Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Observers Say China's Denial of Unofficial Median Line in Taiwan Strait Fuels
Unnecessary Tensions

Joyce Huang

   China showed no sign of easing its military intimidation against Taiwan
   on Monday after reportedly flying another military transport aircraft
   near the airspace of the island, which it views as a renegade province.

   Reports say the plane flew over Taiwan's air defense identification
   zone, or ADIZ, but did not cross the so-called Taiwan Strait median
   line separating China from the self-ruling island. There has been no
   comment from Taiwan defense officials on the reported incursion.

   China has recently increased military activity around Taiwan, including
   flying fighter jets across the boundary, which Taipei views as "a
   symbol of preventing military confrontations" with the mainland.

   Although a Taiwan official has told the Chinese to "back off," Beijing
   now says the line is non-existent as it views Taiwan as part of its
   territory. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to unite the two
   sides.

   Analysts warn that China's repeated use of such crossings and military
   flyovers will only backfire while fueling unnecessary tension in the
   region.

   "The Taiwan Strait median line is a stabilizing mechanism in the
   cross-Strait military relationship which the Mainland-side has
   unilaterally abrogated, significantly worsening the regional security
   situation," said Drew Thompson, a visiting senior research fellow at
   the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of
   Singapore Monday, in a written reply to VOA.

   The unofficial line, drawn in the 1950s reportedly by U.S. General
   Benjamin Davis to separate the two sides in conflict, has succeeded for
   decades in reducing the risk of accidents with the mainland and Taiwan
   sticking to their side of the strait.

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