By Thomas Maresca
June 1 (UPI) — China recently conducted combat readiness patrols in the waters and airspace around Taiwan, Beijing’s military announced Wednesday, calling the exercises a “necessary action” in response to “collusion” between Washington and Taipei.
“The troops in the theater continue to strengthen military training and preparations, improve their ability to perform their missions and resolutely thwart any external forces’ interference,” Col. Shi Yi of the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command said in a statement.
Beijing views Taiwan as a wayward province and has ratcheted up a military pressure campaign over the past several months, alarming Washington, which has grown increasingly vocal in its support of the self-governing island.
U.S. President Joe Biden said last week that the United States would come to Taiwan’s aid militarily if China launched an invasion, sparking an angry outcry in Beijing.
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