Chinese jets conducted drills near Taiwan's airspace on Wednesday for the sixth time this month, as relations between the two rivals worsen.

China sees self-governed Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified at some point -- by military force, if necessary.

The two sides split after a civil war in 1949. Although Taiwan is a self-ruling democracy, it has never formally declared independence.

The latest drills come just days after China's warplanes flew over the Sea of Japan (East Sea), prompting South Korea and Japan to scramble jets.

Taiwan's defence ministry announced Wednesday that Beijing had directed several planes including jet fighters through the Bashi Channel south of the island, to the Pacific and back.

"China's long-distance (drills) have become more frequent," it said, but urged Taiwanese people not to worry.

It added that it would dispatch its own aircraft and ships to monitor drills "according to protocol".

Relations between Taipei and Beijing have rapidly deteriorated since the inauguration last year of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who refuses to acknowledge both sides are part of "one China".

Beijing has cut all official communication with Taipei and stepped up pressure on Tsai's government, including staging a series of naval and air drills near Taiwan since last year.

Local media reports estimate Chinese warplanes have conducted drills around Taiwan at least 20 times this year, compared with a total of eight times last year.

A spokesman for China's air force said last week that bombers and reconnaissance planes had been deployed near Taiwan for "island encirclement patrols" on December 11 in routine training drills.

These exercises aimed to "increase the capacity to safeguard the national sovereignty and the territorial integrity", said Shen Jinke.

In August a Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) during a drill, prompting Taiwan to urge restraint.

The ADIZ stretches beyond Taiwan's airspace and is used to give early warning of possible incursions.

Five Chinese warplanes entered South Korea's ADIZ during Monday's drill, according to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

China's air force said it was the first time its aircraft had flown through the Tsushima Strait between South Korea and Japan.

Tweet

China fumes over potential US navy visits to Taiwan
Beijing (AFP) Dec 14, 2017
China said on Thursday it lodged an official protest with the United States after President Donald Trump signed a defence budget that opens the possibility for US warships to visit self-ruled Taiwan. Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang charged that the legislation, while non-binding, violates the one-China policy and "constitutes an interference in China's domestic affairs". "We firmly op ... read more

Related Links
Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only