China conducts military ‘readiness patrol’ around Taiwan

Taiwan troops hold regular exercises simulating an invasion by Chinese forces. The People's Liberation Army has said it had carried out 'readiness patrols' around the self-ruled island in recent days [File: Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

The Chinese military has said it conducted a “combat readiness patrol” in the sea and airspace around the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

In a statement, the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command said the exercises had taken place in recent days and were “a necessary action” against what it described as “US-Taiwan collusion”.