By MATTHEW M. BURKE | STARS AND STRIPES Published: January 25, 2021 Chinese warplanes flew into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone two days in a row over the weekend, stepping up its show of force a day after President Joe Biden’s administration signaled support for the self-governing island. Fifteen Chinese aircraft, including 12 fighters, two Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft and a technical reconnaissance plane, entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone Sunday, the island’s Military News Agency reported that day. They passed between Taiwan’s southern shores and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, according to the report.
China, US step up military activities near Taiwan January 25
A Chinese People s Liberation Army H-6 bomber is seen flying near the Taiwan air defense identification zone on Sept. 18, 2020. (Taiwan Ministry of National Defense via AP) MELBOURNE, Australia China and the United States have stepped up military activities near Taiwan and the South China Sea, with both sides also trading diplomatic barbs as the incoming Biden administration signals it will continue to shore up support for the self-governing island, of which China claims as part of its territory. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, which publishes daily reports of Chinese air activities inside its air defense zone, reported tracking 13 and 15 military aircraft from China on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
BEIJING (AP) The U.S. has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan following China’s dispatch of warplanes near the island in an apparent attempt to intimidate its democratic government and test the resolve of the new American presidential administration. The U.S. State Department on Saturday said it was concerned by China's "pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbors, including Taiwan.” “We urge Beijing to cease its military,.