China sends bombers around Taiwan in new show of force

Beijing: China flew bombers and fighter jets around Taiwan on Thursday in a new show of force that the defence ministry said was directed at “independence forces” on the self-ruled island. H-6K bombers, early warning aircraft, reconnaissance planes and several types of fighter jets took off from multiple airports for “combat drills”, the air force said. The planes flew over Bashi Strait, south of Taiwan and the Miyako Strait, near Japan’s Okinawa Island, it said. The air force said its H-6K bombers have completed several drills that involved circling Taiwan since April 18 “to strengthen its capacity to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity”. AFP