A Chinese state media report of “confrontation drills” run by a group of Chinese H-6K bombers near Taiwan is clearly aimed at intimidation, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said today.
Chinese state media reported the supposed drill late yesterday, publicizing the action just a few days before the US and Chinese presidents are due to meet in South Korea.
China sends its combat aircraft and warships into the skies and waters around the nation on a daily basis, although the MND has not reported any unusual activity lately.
Photo: AFP / Ministry of National Defense
Chinese state television's military channel's Sina Weibo account said that recently — it did not give a date — units from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command had conducted combat-oriented training to test their capabilities in areas such as air blockades and precision strikes.
"Several J-10 fighters flew in combat formation to a designated target airspace, and multiple H-6K bombers went to the waters and airspace around Taiwan island to carry out simulated confrontation drills," it added, without providing the location.
The H-6K is a strategic bomber that can carry nuclear weapons.
The MND in a statement said that the report was "clearly a public-opinion operation aimed at intimidation."
"We call on our citizens to remain united in the face of such cognitive operations, to uphold freedom and democracy, and to defend our homeland together," it added.
China's Ministry of National Defense did not respond to a request for comment.
In its daily bulletin of Chinese activities in the previous 24 hours published this morning, the MND reported just four Chinese military aircraft: three fighter jets in the Taiwan Strait and one support aircraft to the southwest of Taiwan.
The Chinese state television report said defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity through "concrete actions and safeguarding the peace and happiness of hundreds of millions of people is our solemn commitment."
It showed a video of bombs being dropped, and in one segment an air force officer says that the "coast of Taiwan can be clearly made out," although it is not clear from the image whether any land can be seen.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday said that Taiwan should not be concerned about the talks.
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