A Chinese BZK-005 reconnaissance drone operates over waters east of Taiwan in 2020 (Photo: Japan's Ministry of Defense ).
Taiwan's defense ministry said on May 3 that a Chinese military BZK-005 long-range reconnaissance drone had circled much of the island's air defense identification zone. This was the second time in a week that a Chinese military drone had circled Taiwan.
Earlier, on April 27, a Chinese TB-001 drone circled Taiwan. The UAV first crossed the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines, then flew east of Taiwan before returning to the Chinese coast.
Taiwanese officials say the island's security agencies are closely monitoring the activities of Chinese drones.
The Chinese drone and fighter jet activities near Taiwan came as Steven Rudder, former commander of US Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific , led a defense contractor delegation to Taiwan to discuss developing military technology, including drones and munitions, with Taiwanese companies at a defense industry forum on May 3.
In April, China conducted military exercises around Taiwan after Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.
China has always considered Taiwan an inseparable territory, ready to unify by any means, including the use of force.
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