China's latest major military flight around Taiwan suggests Beijing is expanding its combat training

The June 15 mission was the largest of its kind and the first on the eastern side of Taiwan, home to key airbases. Military analysts say this suggests China is trying to improve its operational capabilities and do “realistic” combat training. The PLA’s largest sortie into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone marked another step forward by the Chinese military because it was the first of its kind on the eastern side of the island, according to military analysts. That side is the furthest from mainland China and hosts two major airbases that could play a key role in any invasion…