Chinese Military 'Simulates Attacks' Off Coast Of Taiwan

Military drills by China around Taiwan entered their second day yesterday in what the latter described as simulated joint precision strikes”.

- Peony Hirwani

China began the three-day military exercises a day earlier in a bid to send a message to Taiwan after its president Tsai Ing-wen returned from a US visit. China, which considers Taiwan to be its own territory, has consistently frowned upon the island nation’s ties with the West.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said that as of midday yesterday, 58 Chinese aircraft, including Su-30 fighters and H-6 bombers, as well as nine ships, were spotted around the island.

The drills also reportedly resulted in a standoff between 20 military ships, according to a source.

About 10 Chinese and as many Taiwanese ships were involved in the standoff near Taiwan Strait’s median line, that serves as a buffer zone between the countries, according to Reuters.

China also conducted simulated attacks aimed at “foreign military targets” off Taiwan’s southwest coast, the source said while maintaining their anonymity.