Situation in Taiwan Strait under full control: MND

Taipei, Jan. 25 (CNA) Amid increased muscle-flexing by parties concerned in waters near Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Friday that it is in full control of the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

"Taiwan's resolve to safeguard national security and stability in the region remains unchanged," MND spokesman Chen Chung-chi (陳中吉) said when asked if tension has escalated due to an increased frequency of what has been seen by some as saber-rattling by Taiwan, China and the United States near the strait.

Chen's remarks came one day after two U.S. naval vessels sailed through the strait and Taiwan's Navy held its first-ever fly-over demonstration using the locally manufactured Albatross unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) off the southernmost county of Pingtung.

Also Thursday, several Chinese military planes flew over airspace near southern Taiwan as part of a routine long-haul training, while three Chinese military ships also sailed off Taiwan's eastern coast en route for home in passage of waters near Japan.

In response to a question of whether the military has stepped up its combat readiness in the face of increased encroachment by Chinese military jets and ships near Taiwan's waters, Chen said that "the military is in full control of the situation in waters around Taiwan and in its skies every day."

He said the Navy's drill Thursday was scheduled in advance and was meant to allow the public to gain an understanding of its preparedness as the lunar new year approaches.