Chinese military sends ships, aircraft to patrol Taiwan Straits

The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command sent its naval ships, early-warning planes and bomber aircraft to carry out patrols and combat exercises on Friday in the air and waters southwest off the Taiwan Island, according to a theater spokesman.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi said in a statement on Saturday that the operations were intended to strengthen the joint operation capability of the theater's combat forces. He added that the command will continue organizing such patrols and exercises in accordance with situations in the Taiwan Straits as well as the need to safeguard national sovereignty and security.

He did not give details about the operations.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command has conducted a series of combat exercises in the Straits this year.

In an earlier statement on Saturday, the spokesman said that the theater will remain on high alert after the United States' guided-missile destroyer USS Barry sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Friday.

He noted that the command mobilized its forces to monitor the US vessel's transit through the waterways.

The Barry's transit marked the ninth voyage by a US naval ship through the Taiwan Straits.