Taiwan denies it shot down a China People's Liberation Air Force with a surface-to-air missile calling stories it had "fake news."
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said this past weekend it categorically denied the incident. The statement was prompted by many social media posts - mainly from Taiwan and India - claiming Taiwan's air defenses shot down a Chinese Sukhoi Su-35 fighter that had violated Taiwan air space over the Taiwan Strait.
"In response to rumors online that claim a Chinese Su-35 fighter jet had been shot down by Taiwan air defense systems, #ROCAirForce would like to categorically state this is fake news. We urge netizens to not spread it and strongly condemn this malicious act," Taiwan's statement said.
Command Headquarters of the Republic of China Air Force said that to "maintain airspace security, the headquarters will continue to closely monitor the conditions of the sea and airspace around Taiwan Strait."
One online video shows flames and smoke coming from an alleged crash site in what the text said was Guangxi province. Some social media posts claimed the plane crashed in Guangxi after flying over the strait. Others said the jet crashed into the strait after being shot down.
In the video, the pilot is seen motionless on a stretcher with members of the public gathered around. Claims the jet crashed in Guangxi are improbable because the province is 1,000 kilometers from Taiwan.
Some Taiwanese news reports said the plane was Chinese but had hit high-voltage lines on the mainland before crashing.
Nevertheless, recent verified news stories reported Chinese air force planes had entered Taiwan airspace over the strait in the past few months. Taiwan fighters were deployed to intercept them.
Taiwan military analysts said the speed at which Taiwan denied the incident was noteworthy. In denouncing the social media posts as fake news and malicious Taiwan sought to defuse reports that might have led to a more serious incident.
