China exercised near Taiwan last week

China’s air force and navy conduct drills near the Taiwan Strait – Illustration: PLA

According to Reuters news agency, China’s navy and air force exercised from May 6 to 8 in the east and southwest of the island of Taiwan, aimed at “improving the joint combat ability” of units. .

On May 6, Taiwan’s National Defense Agency confirmed that China’s aircraft group included 6 J-11 fighters, 6 J-16s and 2 H-6 bombers, 2 warning aircraft. Soon KJ-500, 1 Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft, 1 Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft entered the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) of this territory.

Taiwan has sent fighter jets to warn Chinese planes and deployed anti-aircraft missiles to “observe activities”. On May 7 and 8, Taiwan continued to record Chinese aircraft flying into the ADIZ, although the number of aircraft was less than on May 6.

Over the past two years, Taiwan has regularly complained about China’s military activities near the island, mainly concentrated south and southwest of the ADIZ.

Taiwan has raised its alarm since the Russia-Ukraine hostilities broke out, fearing Beijing’s move to mimic Moscow’s.

Asked before the National Assembly on May 9, Mr. Joseph Wu, head of Taiwan’s diplomatic mission, said that China is continuing to pose threatening problems with the island.

Taiwan also conducted missile drills and other drills off its southern and southeast coasts last week.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and leaves open the possibility of using force to control the island. Taiwan’s government rejects China’s claim, saying only the island’s 23 million people can decide their future.