Taiwan’s military is on high alert after three straight days of drills by the PLA Air Force near the self-ruled island, Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Tuesday.
The People’s Liberation Army aircraft, which have included bombers and advanced fighter jets, have been staging exercises flying through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines and up to the north of Taiwan by Japan’s Miyako Island, according to Taiwan’s government.
Ministry spokesman Chen Chung-ji said PLA aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone during their drills.
“Our air force and navy will stay on high alert to prevent them from intruding upon our territorial waters or airspace or even engaging in hostility,” Chen said.
“We’re experienced and have been doing this for a long time, and we ask our citizens to rest assured.
“We will of course take actions to avoid escalating any conflict throughout this process.”