China warplanes again fly close to Taiwan

Chinese jets conducted drills near Taiwan’s airspace yesterday for the sixth time this month, as relations between the rivals detriorate. China regards self-governed Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified. The sides split after a civil war in 1949. Although Taiwan is a democracy, it has never declared independence. The latest drills came days after China’s warplanes flew over the Sea of Japan, prompting South Korea and Japan to scramble jets. Taiwan’s defence ministry said: “China’s long-distance drills have become more frequent,” but urged Taiwanese people not to worry. Relations between Taipei and Beijing deteriorated after the inauguration last year of Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to acknowledge both sides are part of “one China”.