taiwan strait: China carries out ‘combat readiness patrol’ as US lawmakers visit Taipei – Times of India
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TAIPEI: China’s military carried out “combat readiness” patrols in the direction of the Taiwan Strait on Friday as a US Congressional delegation made a surprise visit to Taipei, offering strong support to the Chinese-claimed, democratically governed island.
The five members of the US House of Representatives arrived in Taiwan on Thursday night for a previously unannounced two-day trip, the second time in a month US lawmakers have visited. As with the last visit, China’s military announced the patrols in the vicinity of the narrow and sensitive Taiwan Strait that separates the island from its giant neighbour.
The People’s Liberation Army’s said that on Friday it “organised naval and air forces to continue combat readiness police patrols in direction of the Taiwan Strait”. “The actions are necessary to deal with the current situation in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is part of China’s territory, and defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity is our military’s sacred mission. It gave no details.
Taiwan’s defence ministry, as part of its daily update of Chinese air operations near the island, said on Friday eight Chinese air force aircraft, including two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, flew into Taiwan’s air defence zone.
China routinely denounces visits by US politicians to Taiwan, and its foreign ministry said it had made a formal complaint to Washington about the latest trip by the congressional group, saying playing the Taiwan card was “a losing hand”. Meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at her office on Friday, the leader of the US delegation praised the island as a “force for good” in the world. “Our commitment to Taiwan is rock solid. Taiwan is a democratic success story, a reliable partner and a force for good in the world,” said Mark Takano, chairman of the House committee on veterans’ affairs.
The five members of the US House of Representatives arrived in Taiwan on Thursday night for a previously unannounced two-day trip, the second time in a month US lawmakers have visited. As with the last visit, China’s military announced the patrols in the vicinity of the narrow and sensitive Taiwan Strait that separates the island from its giant neighbour.
The People’s Liberation Army’s said that on Friday it “organised naval and air forces to continue combat readiness police patrols in direction of the Taiwan Strait”. “The actions are necessary to deal with the current situation in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is part of China’s territory, and defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity is our military’s sacred mission. It gave no details.
Taiwan’s defence ministry, as part of its daily update of Chinese air operations near the island, said on Friday eight Chinese air force aircraft, including two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, flew into Taiwan’s air defence zone.
China routinely denounces visits by US politicians to Taiwan, and its foreign ministry said it had made a formal complaint to Washington about the latest trip by the congressional group, saying playing the Taiwan card was “a losing hand”. Meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at her office on Friday, the leader of the US delegation praised the island as a “force for good” in the world. “Our commitment to Taiwan is rock solid. Taiwan is a democratic success story, a reliable partner and a force for good in the world,” said Mark Takano, chairman of the House committee on veterans’ affairs.
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