American Delegation Arrives in Taiwan, Chinese Military Ready for Combat

jpnn.com, CHINA - China's military on Tuesday (9/11) said it was carrying out a combat readiness patrol towards the Taiwan Strait after China's defense ministry condemned a visit by a US congressional delegation to Taiwan.

The US congressional delegation is said to have arrived in Taiwan by military aircraft.

The patrols were aimed at addressing the "grossly wrong" words and actions of the countries concerned on the Taiwan issue and for the activities of pro-independence forces in Taiwan, a Chinese military spokesman said in a statement.

Tensions across the strait have escalated in recent months.

Taiwan has for the past year or so complained about repeated patrol missions carried out by China's air force near the self-governing island. Several Taiwanese media reported on Tuesday that the unnamed US lawmaker and senate had arrived in Taipei on Tuesday evening on a US military plane.

Taiwan's government office declined to comment on the visit.

The American Institute and the de facto US embassy with no formal diplomatic ties to Taiwan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

China's defense ministry said in a statement that members of the US Congress had arrived in Taiwan by military aircraft.