China flexes military muscles in S.Korea, Japan and Taiwan
Six Chinese H-6 bombers, an intelligence gathering plane and an early warning plane were seen flying over the Tsushima Strait in Japan; Japan scrambled fighter jets in response. Whilst at the same time, South Korea reported 10 Chinese planes entering Korean air defence identification areas, also causing them to launch fighter jets and send out a warning signal broadcast. Finally, a Chinese aircraft carrier entered the Taiwan Strait this week, coming after talks between Donald Trump and Taiwan's president which raised tensions between Beijing and Taipei. These moves reveal again China's determination to flex its military muscles in the waters in which its interests lie.

One of the Chinese H-6 bombers photographed over the Sea of Japan on Monday. Photo: Japan’s Ministry of Defence.