Chinese spy drones fly over Taiwan for 2nd time in a week

Beijing, May 3 (EFE).- The Taiwanese defense ministry reported Wednesday the detection of a long-range Chinese reconnaissance drone over the island for the second time this week.

The drone, a BZK-005 model, carried out its flight between Tuesday and early Wednesday and was accompanied by a transport aircraft with the ability to interfere in communications, said the ministry statement.

Last week the Taiwanese authorities recorded similar maneuvers by two drones over the island.

The People’s Liberation Army has been deploying unmanned aircraft over Taiwanese airspace since 2020.

Until now, the Chinese drones had carried out shorter flights using both tactical and damage reconnaissance drones.

In recent months tensions have increased in the Taiwan Strait, where China has carried out high-intensity maneuvers on several occasions, including after the visit to the island in August 2022 by the then-Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

This month, the Chinese military carried out another four days of military exercises, including simulating a blockade, in response to a meeting in California between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Pelosi’s successor, Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Taiwan has been self-governed since China’s nationalist army withdrew to the island in 1949 after its defeat by the Communist troops in the civil war.

However, China has claimed sovereignty over the entire island, considering it a rebel province. EFE

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