Beijing keeps up military pressure on Taiwan as island reshuffles security and mainland affairs chiefs

The Chinese military continued its incursions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone with flights near the Pratas Islands on Friday and Saturday

Meanwhile, Taipei announced a series of ministerial changes that may be intended to send a signal to Joe Biden’s new administration

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The latest PLA incursion included H-6 strategic bombers as well as fighters. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:06pm, 21 Feb 2021Updated: 8:57pm, 21 Feb 2021

Beijing continued to put pressure on Taiwan with another round of military exercises over the weekend as the island reshuffled the officials responsible for security and relations with the mainland.

On Friday and Saturday, the People’s Liberation Army sent warplanes close to the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, forcing Taiwan, which controls the islands, to scramble fighters in an emergency response.

Beijing – which regards Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary – has carried out frequent air missions in the southwestern corner of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone in recent months, mostly near the Pratas Islands.

After nine PLA aircraft flew near the Pratas Islands on Friday, the Taiwanese defence ministry said it tracked 11 planes on Saturday – eight fighter jets, two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers and an anti-submarine aircraft – in the same area.

It said Chinese naval forces were also involved but gave no details.

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