TAIPEI (Taiwan News) –A Taiwanese Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) monitored a Chinese Xian H-6 bomber near Taiwan's air defense identification zone July 20, 2017.
Taiwan’s military defense ministry said on Tuesday that Taiwan is ready to defend itself from China if needed, in a strongly worded response to recent flybys by Chinese warplanes.
According to the ministry, China has flown several fighter aircraft near Taiwan for exercises.
"The People's Liberation Army has never given up on the idea of resolving problems through the use of military force," ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi told a news briefing.
"We believe in peace. We will not take the initiative that could lead to war. But we will not back down in the face of threats," he said.
Chen added that Taiwan was strategically prepared to defend itself in both air and sea.
China has not yet given any explanation of the recent drills in Taiwan. However earlier this month China’s air force mentioned its fighters and bombers had recently conducted “multiple” long flight drills around Japan and Taiwan.
Beijing fears Taiwan’s intent on independence and therefore has been increasingly asserting itself in territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas.
Beijing has never ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control and has warned any move towards formal independence could prompt an armed response.