China conducts naval, air force drills near Taiwan Strait after US lawmakers’ visit
- Army is on ‘high alert’, says ‘this is a necessary measure in response to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait’
- American lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Thursday offering support for the island’s authorities, who Beijing accuses of seeking independence
The Chinese army has carried out a “naval and air force combat readiness patrol” near the Taiwan Strait following a contentious visit to the island by a group of American lawmakers, a spokesperson said.
A group of American lawmakers arrived on the island on Thursday offering support for the Taiwanese authorities, who Beijing accuses of seeking independence for the island.
In response, the Chinese army on Friday carried out “a naval and air force combat readiness patrol in the direction of the Taiwan Strait,” a spokesperson for the Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement.
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“This is a necessary measure in response to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait,” they added, pledging the army would “protect sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.”
“The army will continue to be on high alert and take all necessary measures to counter, at any time, any interference by external forces and any conspiracy by separatists aiming at the so-called ‘Taiwan independence’.”
