The Chinese Defence Ministry said on Thursday that patrols by its fighter jets close to the island of Taiwan, separated unilaterally from the Chinese communist regime, will continue in the future and be regularised, despite the Taiwanese pro-independence government's protests.
"Taiwan is part of China and the naval and air force trainings conducted by armed forces are routine activities, we will continue to carry out these trainings as planned, and will be gradually regularised," said Ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang at a press conference.
The armies "have no intention of compromising the security of the region in any way, on the contrary, the development of China's armed forces is a boost for peace and stability in the region", he added.
This week, the Taiwanese Defence Ministry released an annual report that said that the frequent military drills by China close to the island, which intensified in the last month, were an enormous threat to its security, Efe news reported.
The report said that China carried out at least 20 exercises with military aircraft in the surroundings of Taiwan and Japan this year, with 10 taking place after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen told her country's armed forces to remain alert given the growing Chinese military activity close to the island and ensure national and regional security.
Taiwanese military experts say that the Chinese aerial missions seek to compile information regarding the defences of the island and its capability to react to Chinese aerial intrusions.
The Chinese spokesperson defended the incursions, saying that they will contribute more positive energy to maintaining world peace and stability.
The relations between China and Taiwan are at a low point after Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party's accession to power in 2016.
--IANS
soni/dg
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