China’s H-6 bombers, capable of carrying nuclear bombs, are part of 8 Chinese warplanes on combat readiness patrols. Photo/REUTERS
Five members of the US House of Representatives arrived in Taiwan late Thursday for a previously unannounced two-day visit. This is the second visit for members of the US Parliament in a month.
As with recent visits, China’s military announced patrols around the narrow and sensitive Taiwan Strait that separates the island from its giant neighbour.
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“Today organized the Navy and Air Force to continue combat readiness patrols towards the Taiwan Strait,” China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said, as quoted Reuters, Saturday (11/27/2021).
“Relevant actions are needed to deal with the current situation in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is part of China’s territory, and defending its national sovereignty and territorial integrity is our military’s sacred mission.”
The command did not provide further details on its combat readiness patrols.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said that on Friday eight Chinese Air Force aircraft, including two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, flew into Taiwan’s air defense zone, despite being far from mainland Taiwan and flying near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea region. .
China routinely denounces visits by US politicians to Taiwan, and its foreign ministry said it had lodged a formal complaint with Washington about the bipartisan Congressional group’s recent trip, saying playing the Taiwan card was a “loss”.
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