Taiwan Warns Of New Waves Of Provocational Chinese Military Activities

JAKARTA - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense warned of a new wave of Chinese military activity around the island and direct firing exercises.

Taiwan also accused Beijing of making policies that present serious challenges for neighboring countries.

Taiwan has complained about China's increased military activity over the past five years. The Taiwanese government rejects Chinese sovereignty claims.

Reported by Reuters on Thursday, September 26, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said it detected large-scale Chinese military activity on the second day nearby, with 29 aircraft involved in a joint combat preparedness patrol with Chinese warships.

A day earlier, Taiwan warned of 43 Chinese military aircraft operating around the island.

Of these, 23 aircraft flew south of Taiwan through the Bashi Strait separating them from the Philippines and then flying along Taiwan's east coast, according to a ministry map, even without entering territorial airspace.

Referring to the visit of the southern Chinese military chief of command to the US military in Hawaii on September 18-20, the ministry said at the same time China carried out various waves of attacks with live ammunition during exercises in the Yellow Islands and the Bohai Sea near the Korean peninsula and Japan.

China is doing everything it can to build its military while creating an illusion of dialogue, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said.

In Beijing, China's Ministry of Defense defended exercises around Taiwan. Spokesman Zhang Xiaogang told reporters the drills were a "sah" activity.

China will continue to strengthen its combat readiness and organize military exercises.