China says Taiwan should not 'interfere' in its air force missions around island

Beijing has asserted that Taiwan should not interfere with Chinese air force missions operating within what China considers its own airspace around the island. The statement from China's defense ministry comes in response to a week of military exercises that Taiwan has complained about.

China, which views the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as a breakaway province, conducts frequent air and naval operations around the island. Taiwan reported joint combat readiness patrols by China on Monday and last week, accompanied by photographic evidence of Chinese warships and fighter jets captured by Taiwanese aircraft.

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Taiwan is a part of China. Our aircraft conduct military activities within Chinese airspace.

"Taiwan is a part of China," stated Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin in Beijing. "Our aircraft conduct military activities within Chinese airspace." He further warned, "The 'Taiwan independence' armed forces had better refrain from interference and provocation."

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The 'Taiwan independence' armed forces had better refrain from interference and provocation.

China has labeled Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te a "separatist" and rejected his overtures for dialogue, while Lai maintains that only Taiwan's people can determine their future. Jiang reiterated China's military commitment to enhancing training and combat readiness to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, vowing to "resolutely defeat any separatist activities and external interference."

Taipei remains on high alert for further Chinese actions, particularly following discussions about Taiwan between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump this month. Taiwan has also reported a significant deployment of over 100 Chinese ships along the first island chain, a strategic maritime area stretching from Japan to the Philippines.

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resolutely defeat any separatist activities and external interference.