LBCI

Chinese military flights near Taiwan look like "rehearsals"- Pentagon chief

Middle East

05-12-2021 | 01:31

Share

Share

Chinese military flights near Taiwan look like "rehearsals"- Pentagon chief

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday said Chinese military flights near Taiwan look like "rehearsals" though he did not indicate that he expected Beijing actually to carry out such operations.

Cross-strait tensions have been rising in recent months, with Taiwan complaining for a year or more of repeated missions by China's air force near the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own.

"I don't want to speculate, but certainly... it looks a lot like rehearsals," Austin said while speaking at a conference in California.

Military training flights by definition are rehearsals for potential operations.

China has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, despite the island's claim that it is an independent country that will defend its freedom and democracy.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Chinese

Military

Flights

Taiwan

Pentagon

Chief

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Iran lawmaker warns US against attacks on vessels, says restraint over

Middle East News

2026-05-10

Iran lawmaker warns US against attacks on vessels, says restraint over

Lebanese President Aoun says ceasefire is gateway to negotiations

2026-04-17

Lebanese President Aoun says ceasefire is gateway to negotiations

Iran insists on keeping control over Hormuz, senior Iranian sources say

Middle East News

2026-07-01

Iran insists on keeping control over Hormuz, senior Iranian sources say

Lebanon death toll rises to 2,124 since March 2 due to Israeli attacks

2026-04-14

Lebanon death toll rises to 2,124 since March 2 due to Israeli attacks

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Aoun’s Rome visit: Why Italy could play a key role in verifying Lebanon’s pilot zones

1

Aoun’s Rome visit: Why Italy could play a key role in verifying Lebanon’s pilot zones

LBCI information: UAE business delegation to visit Lebanon to sign private sector agreements

2

LBCI information: UAE business delegation to visit Lebanon to sign private sector agreements

Lebanon slams Israeli strikes on Syria as ‘violation’ of sovereignty

3

Lebanon slams Israeli strikes on Syria as ‘violation’ of sovereignty

Lebanon probes company accused of selling repackaged medical supplies as new

4

Lebanon probes company accused of selling repackaged medical supplies as new

Western diplomatic source to LBCI: Hezbollah sought to withdraw from Ali al-Taher, later denied offer to hand over area

5

Western diplomatic source to LBCI: Hezbollah sought to withdraw from Ali al-Taher, later denied offer to hand over area

President Aoun meets Pope Leo at Vatican, urges support for full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon

6

President Aoun meets Pope Leo at Vatican, urges support for full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon

Gold mine collapse kills at least 100 people in C.Africa: AFP

7

Gold mine collapse kills at least 100 people in C.Africa: AFP

Cyprus to accept only biometric Lebanese passports for visa applications from September 1

8

Cyprus to accept only biometric Lebanese passports for visa applications from September 1

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More