Taiwan claims a Chinese combat drone circled the island. In the latest military tensions, Taiwan’s defense ministry claimed a new Chinese combat drone that can carry a huge weapons payload had flown near Taiwan.
China, which claims democratically controlled Taiwan as its territory, has upped military pressure on the island for three years to persuade Taipei to acknowledge Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
After Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles, China held war drills surrounding Taiwan this month.
19 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry’s daily report.
According to a ministry map, a TB-001 drone flew around Taiwan, passing the Bashi Channel that divides Taiwan from the Philippines, then up the east of Taiwan, and finally back toward the Chinese shore.
The TB-001, dubbed the “twin-tailed scorpion” by Chinese state media, can fly high-altitude, long-range missions.
China’s nuclear-capable H-6 bomber has conducted “island encirclement” flights.
Chinese planes haven’t gone over Taiwan, and no rounds were fired. However, Taiwan patrols a larger air defense identification zone (ADIZ) to allow its forces more time to respond to attacks.
Since last year, Chinese military aircraft have crossed the middle line of the Taiwan Strait, which generally functions as an unofficial barrier between the two sides. China denies this.
Taiwan’s administration rejects China’s sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide their destiny.
Comment Template