China's Air Force conducted training flights Thursday around the self-governing island of Taiwan that it said mark an "historical shift" in its combat ability. The planes circled Taiwan, transiting the Bashi Strait to the south and Miyako Strait to the north along the sea border with Japan, it said. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary. "It needs to be pointed out that Taiwan independence activities are doomed to failure and any attempt to use force to resist unification will go nowhere," Wu said. China severed ties with Taiwan almost two years ago, after independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen refused its demand to recognize the island democracy as a part of Chinese territory.

Source: ABC News April 26, 2018 07:23 UTC