TAIPEI (REUTERS) - Chinese air force planes passed through the narrow Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan on a long-range exercise on Thursday (Jan 23), Taiwan's Defence Ministry said, the first such drills near the island that have been publicised since Taiwan held elections this month.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be taken by force if needed. It has routinely sent bombers and other aircraft close to the island since President Tsai Ing-wen first took office in 2016.