China air force, referring to Taiwan, says it can safeguard ‘territorial integrity’

Chess pieces are seen in front of displayed China and Taiwan’s flags in this illustration taken January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

BEIJING, July 31 (Reuters) – China will “resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity”, an air force spokesman was quoted by state media as saying on Sunday.

He said at a military airshow the air force has many types of fighter jets capable of circling “the precious island of our motherland”, a reference to Taiwan.

Tensions have risen over the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own territory.

Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Editing by William Mallard

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.