Chinese warplanes continue military drills near Taiwan-controlled islands in the South China Sea, and Taiwan’s warplanes have been urgently raised in the air for a second day in a row to warn them.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said eight Chinese Air Force fighter jets, two nuclear-capable Boom-6 bombers and an anti-submarine patrol aircraft conducted drills Saturday (Feb. 20) in airspace near the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands in the South China Sea.
Taiwan’s Air Force sent warplanes into emergency air for the second day in a row to warn Chinese warplanes off and deployed missile systems to monitor their movements, the defense ministry said.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said Chinese naval forces also participated in Saturday’s exercise, but did not provide details.
It was the second day in a row that Chinese troops conducted military drills near Dongsha Island. Nine Chinese Air Force military aircraft entered the area Friday to begin the drills, and Taiwan Air Force warplanes took off in an emergency warning.
The Chinese did not comment on the drills in the area over the past two days. A U.S. Defense Department spokeswoman on Saturday reiterated her call for Beijing to “stop putting military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan” and to “engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s elected representatives.”
Chinese aircraft have been flying into the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense zone almost daily. China sent 12 fighter jets into the area on Jan. 24 in a massive campaign.
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