China Is Using A Closed Civilian Airport To Launch Their Taiwan Overflights

1. Resident Chengdu J-7 interceptors seen on multiple occasions. 2. Shaanxi KQ-200 anti-submarine warfare aircraft seen May 7, 2021. 3. Shaanxi KQ-200 aircraft seen May 7, 2021. 4. Six Sukhoi Su-30, or Shenyang J-11/J-16, seen Sept. 2, 2021. 5. Shaanxi KQ-200 aircraft seen Oct. 27, 2020. (Planet Labs)  

Defense News: Satellite images show China may be using closed civilian airport to launch Taiwan overflights 

MELBOURNE, Australia — China is likely using an unused civilian airport just across the Strait of Taiwan to conduct its overflights near the island, with satellite imagery on different occasions showing military aircraft parked on the ground that correspond with Taiwanese military reports. 

Shantou-Waisha airport, less than 220 miles across the strait from the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan, has played host to rotating detachments of People’s Liberation Army aircraft since at least October 2020, according to satellite imagery provided to Defense News by Planet Labs. 

The mixed civilian and military airport, which used to service the city of Shantou, ceased commercial operations in 2011 when the nearby Jieyang-Chaoshan airport opened to become the city’s civilian airport.   

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WNU Editor: This makes sense .... The Strategic Reason Why PLA Aircraft Fly To Taiwan's Southwestern Zone (IBTimes).

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