Several Chinese warplanes fly close to median line of Taiwan Strait - source
The person said the Chinese aircraft repeatedly conducted tactical moves of briefly "touching" the median line and circling back to the other side of the strait on Tuesday morning, while Taiwanese aircraft were on standby nearby. China claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up military and political pressure to try and force the island to accept Chinese rule.
Several Chinese warplanes flew close to the median line of the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday morning, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters, as tensions mounted on news U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi was set to visit Taiwan during the day.
The source said several Chinese warships have stayed close to unofficial dividing line since Monday, adding that Taiwan had dispatched aircraft to monitor the situation. Taiwan's defence ministry was not immediately able to respond to a request for comment.
The source said both Chinese warships and aircraft "squeezed" the median line on Tuesday morning, an unusual move the person described as "very provocative." Neither side's aircraft normally cross the median line. The person said the Chinese aircraft repeatedly conducted tactical moves of briefly "touching" the median line and circling back to the other side of the strait on Tuesday morning, while Taiwanese aircraft were on standby nearby.
China claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up military and political pressure to try and force the island to accept Chinese rule. Taiwan rejects China's claims and vows to defend itself. (Reporting By Yimou Lee; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALSO READ
Cyber board says Chinese hack of US officials was 'preventable'
Scathing federal report rips Microsoft for shoddy security, insincerity in response to Chinese hack
Tennis-Wuhan Open to return for the first time since 2019, Chinese media say
Eight missing after Chinese fishing boat collides with Panama container ship
Chinese internet giants buying back own shares to boost market value amid stock rout