Chinese war games leave US unfazed

MND Spokesman Rear Admiral Liu Chih-chien (劉志堅) yesterday said the China-Russia joint drill is not really a "joint drill" because the two countries hadn't formed a joint command for the exercise. As a result, the two militaries would operate independently in the drill, Liu added.

Liu said that since Russia proposed using strategic bombers to join the drill, the MND thinks the purpose of Russia joining the military exercise is to promote its advanced strategic arms to China, one of its biggest arms markets.

Liu said the MND would closely follow the exercise.

Additional reporting by Rich Chang