Bejing should focus on domestic issues and not cause trouble: Su

Taipei, July 24 (CNA) Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) urged the Chinese government to focus on the welfare of its people instead of undermining regional peace and stability amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese air force planes entered air space near Taiwan twice in the past 24 hours.

Several Taiwanese media outlets reported Friday that aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) "intruded" into Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone at 7 p.m. Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday, citing military enthusiasts who claimed to have intercepted radio warnings made by Taiwanese military to Chinese aircraft.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) declined to confirm the reports, saying only that it closely monitors the airspace and waters around Taiwan and nothing unusual has been detected.

However, Su, in a media interview before a book launch event in Taipei, urged Beijing to focus its efforts on taking care of its people during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent disasters such as flooding and landslides.

"China's military aircraft and navy vessels have roiled regional peace and stability and put pressure on countries in the region," Su said, adding that Taiwan will work with like-minded countries to maintain regional peace.

Beijing has increased military activities around Taiwan since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) from the Democratic Progressive Party, which supports Taiwan independence.

The PLA was first detected conducting night flights near Taiwan's air space by Taiwan's MND on March 16, 2020.