Strategic bombers, aerial tankers part of ‘regular’ patrols near Taiwan, PLA says

Long-range H-6Ks have carried out ‘countless’ operations near the island in recent years, air force spokesman says

He made the remarks as two American warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday in ‘routine’ transit

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An H-6K bomber flies in formation with two J-11 fighter jets. PLA warplanes, including H-6Ks, have made frequent sorties into Taiwan’s air defence zone in recent years. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:30pm, 29 Aug 2022

The People’s Liberation Army said H-6K bombers and aerial tankers will be part of “regular” patrols near Taiwan, as two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday.

PLA Air Force spokesman Senior Colonel Shen Jinke said the long-range strategic bombers had carried out “countless” operations near the island in recent years.

“The H-6Ks – along with other fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, early warning aircraft and [aerial] tankers – will continue to fulfil these missions,” Shen told reporters at an air force open day in Changchun, Jilin province on Sunday.

Shen also showed photos of H-6K bombers carrying out patrols over the Bashi Channel, the Miyako Strait, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

He made the remarks as two American warships – the guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville – were conducting what the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet called “a routine Taiwan Strait transit”.

The PLA Eastern Theatre Command said it was tracking the US Navy vessels, staying on high alert and “ready to thwart any provocation”.

It was the first American naval transit through the strait since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei early this month, angering Beijing and prompting large-scale PLA exercises around the island.