Your editorial (“The acute dangers of conflict over Taiwan”, FT View, October 13) wisely urges caution in the current tensions between the US and China over Taiwan.
You highlight repeated incursions by Chinese warplanes to put pressure on Taiwan and against naval forces from the US, UK, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand. Paradoxically these aerial shows of strength suggest the Chinese may not be serious adversaries.
Unless it is flown with extreme professionalism and stealth, a warplane generates electronic signals of use to an enemy. Repeated flights of up to 50 aircraft would generate a startling cornucopia of signals intelligence for any observer. Pressure on Taiwan has the unintended effect of briefing any would-be enemy and their allies with extensive knowledge of the Chinese air force and all its modus operandi.
Surely, it would be of more concern if the Chinese did not show their hand in such a comprehensive and revealing way and remained completely passive.
Jonathan Aylen
Salford, UK
Letter: China’s Taiwan incursions could be an intel windfall
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