China jets carry out drills around Taiwan for 6th time in month

Chinese jets conducted drills near Taiwan’s airspace on Wednesday for the sixth time this month, AFP reported. The latest drills come days after China’s warplanes flew over the Sea of Japan (East Sea), prompting South Korea and Japan to scramble jets. Beijing directed several planes including jet fighters through the Bashi Channel south of the island, to the Pacific and back, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. China’s long-distance drills “have become more frequent,” it said, adding that Taiwanese people still have no reason to worry. Media reports estimate Chinese warplanes have conducted drills around Taiwan at least 20 times this year, compared with a total of eight times last year. Beijing describes the drills as routine.