Chinese military transport aircraft approach Taiwan

At least one Chinese Air Force Yun-8 military transport aircraft appeared near Taiwan yesterday (December 17), Reuters quoted the head of Taiwan's defense agency as saying.

A Chinese military transport aircraft. Photo: CAF

ReutersTaiwan has dispatched fighter jets and warships to monitor and respond after detecting at least one Chinese Yun-8 military transport plane near the island, Taiwan's defense minister Feng Shih-kuan said.

It is not clear whether one or more Chinese military aircraft were flying the same route. However, Mr Feng said there were no tense incidents.

The information was released amid escalating tensions between China and Taiwan after President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2018 on December 12, which allows US and Taiwanese naval ships to conduct mutual visits and joint exercises.

China has lodged a protest with Washington over the move. Chinese Embassy Minister Li Kexin warned last week that Beijing would use military force if the US sent naval vessels to Taiwan.

Beijing has always said that Taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said that China strongly opposes any military exchanges, contacts or arms sales between the US and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has grown increasingly concerned about China's military presence, including air force exercises by the Chinese military around the island in recent months.

According to Dantri