China admits it is testing ability to ‘seize power’ in second day of Taiwan war games

Taiwan Air Force F-16 aircraft fly during a patrolling mission at an undisclosed location in Taiwan in this handout image taken on Thursday and released yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Arpan Rai
© UK Independent

China deployed nearly 50 warplanes and 19 naval vessels around Taiwan yesterday, the second day of major military drills which it described as a test of its ability to “seize power” on the island.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said it tracked the Chinese aircraft and warships, as well as a large number of Chinese coastguard vessels, throughout the drills, at times bringing the two sides’ militaries into extremely close proximity amid spiralling tensions in the region.