US Defense Secretary: China's Military Flights Near Taiwan Like A 'Practice'

One of the Chinese warplanes that is part of the force deployed to the Taiwan Strait. (HO-ChinaMilitary/Antara)

WASHINGTON - United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Saturday, December 4 said Chinese military flights near Taiwan looked like "rehearsals," but Austin did not indicate he expected Beijing to actually carry out such an operation.

"I don't want to speculate, but for sure ... It looks like practice," Austin said while speaking at a conference in California.

Tensions across the Taiwan strait have risen in recent months. Taiwan has for more than a year complained about repeated military flight missions carried out by the Chinese air force near the island.

Military training flights by definition are exercises for potential military operations. Taiwan is self-governing, but Beijing claims the island as part of its territory.

China has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control. Meanwhile, Taiwan declared itself as an independent country that would defend its freedom and democracy.