China flies combat drone around Taiwan; US Navy plane transits strait

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory. - Reuters

TAIPEI (Reuters): A Chinese uncrewed combat aircraft has flown around Taiwan, the island's defence ministry said, showcasing Beijing's ability to attack its fall-back east coast bases, as a US maritime patrol aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has increased military pressure on the island over the past three years as it tries to force Taipei to accept its sovereignty claim.