China sent warplanes into the airspace of three neighboring countries on Monday, Dec. 18
Taiwan News
Date: 2017/12/18
By: Associated Press
BEIJING (AP) — China sent several warplanes on a long-range drill to the Sea of Japan on
J-11 fighter jets of the Jinan Military Region of Chinas PLA Air Force fly over the sea during a combat training in east Chinas Shandong province, 16 September 2012. China is stepping up live-ammunition combat trainings over islands dispute with Japan.
Monday and also conducted drills around rival Taiwan, moves that prompted South Korea to scramble fighter jets and could raise concerns about Beijing’s growing military presence in the region.
Chinese air force spokesman Shen Jinke said the air force dispatched bombers, fighters and reconnaissance planes through the Tsushima Strait to the Sea of Japan to “test its ocean combat ability.”
“This is a regular annual training arrangement of China’s air force that accords with the relevant international laws and practices and it isn’t aimed at any particular state, region and target,” Shen said in a statement.
This was the first time the Chinese air force has flown through the strait that lies between South Korea and Japan, Shen said. [FULL STORY]