An H-6K aircraft in a propaganda news report on June 21.
Lieutenant Colonel Zhang Bin, commander of the Second Task Group of the Chinese Air Force unit nicknamed Unit 95183, said that in recent years, his unit's aircraft have crossed the range of the first island chain.
"We flew around Taiwan island at night," Lieutenant Colonel Zhang said in a propaganda news report on CCTV.
Previously, Taiwan's defense forces said in 2018 that the PLA deployed H-6K heavy bombers for the first time to "circle" the island at night.
At the time, China's Ministry of Defense acknowledged that the operation took place, but did not confirm the type of military aircraft involved in the mission, or what happened that night.
Since last August, when then-Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, Beijing has continuously sent fighter jets and warships near Taiwan.
On June 21, CCTV began airing a series of news reports and propaganda videos about the H-6K bomber group, mentioning the mission of the H-6K aircraft five years ago.
“Our distant sea missions in recent years are not the same as in the past, when I was flying an H-6K,” Lt. Col. Zhang said in the news release. According to him, the mission’s objectives now focus on organizing formations of all sizes and shapes.
"For example, electronic warfare aircraft, early warning aircraft, tanker aircraft, fighter jets play a supporting role for us, and even warships at sea. The platforms share data and information about the combat situation and other forms of support, allowing us to feel more secure," said Lieutenant Colonel Truong.
According to another CCTV report, members of the bomber group flew over the Bashi Channel to southern Taiwan in August 2015.
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