China steps up psychological pressure on Taiwan with ‘grey zone’ jet incursions

Chinese fighter jets crowding Taiwan’s radar screens are Beijing’s latest tool to ramp up pressure on the democratic island, sparking fears that one mistake could suddenly turn a festering cold conflict into an all-out war.

Self-ruled Taiwan has lived under the threat of a Chinese invasion since the two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

Its 23 million people have since learned to cope with periods of sabre-rattling from Beijing.