China sends patrols to waters east of Taiwan after Japan-Philippines talks
China's People's Liberation Army Navy announced patrols in the waters east of Taiwan. The move is a direct response to defence talks between Japan and the Philippines.
China's Eastern Theatre Command spokesperson Colonel Li Xi said in a press statement: "Our naval and air assets are conducting routine patrol duty in the waters east of Taiwan". Taiwan's Defence Ministry reported tracking 12 Chinese warships and 18 military aircraft.
Philippines Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in Tokyo with Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara "will facilitate naval exercises". The deal allows temporary deployment of Japanese forces at Philippine bases.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told parliament: "Preserving the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific is our shared responsibility". Taiwan's stock market dropped 0.8% before close; TWD slipped to 32.15 against the dollar. Not investment advice.
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