Chinese H-6K Bomber being watched by a Taiwanese fighter. (File photo Taiwan MND)
Reuters: SCMP: Taiwanese aircraft tail Chinese bombers on flight around island
Long-range mission comes a day after Taipei loses another diplomatic ally.
Taiwan’s air force scrambled aircraft on Friday as mainland Chinese bombers flew around the self-ruled island, just a few hours after Taiwan vowed not to be cowed having lost another diplomatic ally amid growing pressure from Beijing.
Taiwan is China’s most sensitive territorial issue and a potential dangerous military flashpoint. Beijing claims the island as its territory and has vowed not to allow any attempts at what it views as Taiwanese separatism.
Tension between democratic Taiwan and its big neighbour has increased in recent months, with Beijing suspicious that the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen wants to push for the island’s formal independence.
Tsai, who took office in 2016, says she wants to maintain the status quo, but will protect Taiwan’s security and not be bullied by Beijing.
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Update #1: Taiwan scrambles fighter jets to track China bomber drill (AFP)
Update #2: Taiwan Scrambles Fighter Jets As Chinese Bombers Encircle The Island (Newsweek)
WNU Editor: I agree with this analysis .... Beijing's Threats Against Taiwan Are Deadly Serious (Derek Grossman, Foreign Policy) .... and also this one .... China Puts the Squeeze on Taiwan (The Diplomat)
Update #3: The U.S. is not ready to go that far at this moment in time .... Taiwan needs to get closer to the US as Beijing steps up the pressure, says ex-minister (SCMP).
