Taiwan's armed forces on Friday scrambled fighter jets in response to a Chinese military drill involving H-9 bombers.

Two Chinese H-9 bombers flew over the Bashi Channel south of Taiwan and then through the Miyako Strait, bringing them near northeastern Taiwan.

"We are fully monitoring the situation and taking efficient responsive measures to ensure defense security," said Taiwan's Defense Ministry.

The ministry said the Chinese aircraft appeared to be engaged in a long-range training exercise, adding that people in Taiwan should not be alarmed by the operation.

Earlier this month, Taiwan had to deploy fighter aircraft to accompany a Chinese H-6K bomber that flew over the Luzon Strait, just south of Taiwan

'Crude behavior'

Since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen assumed office in 2016, relations between Beijing and Taipei have steadily deteriorated.

Beijing fears Tsai may push for an independence referendum, although she has said she wants to uphold the status quo.

China's deployment of two bombers to circle Taiwan on Friday comes as Taipei lost a diplomatic ally this week. Burkina Faso announced on Thursday that it had severed ties with Taiwan, with analysts suggesting it had caved under Chinese pressure.

Tsai said on Thursday that Taiwan would not bow to Beijing's "crude behavior to undermine our sovereignty."

'Unification of the motherland'

China has increasingly sought to isolate Taiwan internationally, as it sees the island nation as a breakaway province.

Taiwan now has formal diplomatic ties with only 18 countries, down from 22 in 2016.

In March, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a warning against "any actions and tricks to split China" in what observers believe was a veiled threat directed at Taiwan.

"Maintaining national sovereignty, territorial integrity and complete unification of the motherland is the common aspiration of all Chinese," Xi said.

China & Taiwan's 70 year cold war Animosity has lasted nearly seven decades China and Taiwan split in 1949 following the rise of Communist revolutionary leader Mao Zedong. China's nationalist President Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan - which was then a backwater island.

China & Taiwan's 70 year cold war Move to Taiwan 'only temporary' In 1949, Chiang Kai-shek established a "provisional" Republic of China capital in Taipei. Post-war economic conditions caused severe inflation which left the island's tiny population impoverished for many years.

China & Taiwan's 70 year cold war Taiwan prospers without the motherland Over the past six decades, Taiwan has experienced rapid industrialization and economic growth, becoming known as one of the "Four Asian Tigers."

China & Taiwan's 70 year cold war Rise of China In the past 30 years, China has brushed off Communism in all but name, rising to become the world's second largest economy by nominal GDP. China insists Taiwan is part of its territory. But Taiwan maintains it is a sovereign state and a democracy.

China & Taiwan's 70 year cold war US arms sales In 2011, Taiwan upgraded its F-16 fighter fleet at a cost of $.5.3 billion (4.9 billion euros). China denounced the sale of arms from the US, warning at the time that it would damage Sino-American military and security ties.

China & Taiwan's 70 year cold war South China Sea diputes Taiwan and China are currently locked in territorial disputes over the South China Sea. China's claims over most of area, along with its massive land reclamation projects in the Spratly islands, have annoyed much of the rest of Asia.

China & Taiwan's 70 year cold war 'We are one family' Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the relations between Beijing and Taipei, saying that "we are brothers...still connected by our flesh even if our bones are broken." In response, Ma called on China to respect Taiwan's democracy.

China & Taiwan's 70 year cold war Protesters not convinced by China's overtures In the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, about 500 people took to the streets to protest against the meeting between the two leaders. Many are skeptical as to whether ties with China will allow the territory's democracy to be maintained. Author: Nik Martin



ls/sms (AFP, Reuters)

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