Chinese military conducts combat readiness patrols near Taiwan Strait amid surprise visit by U.S. lawmakers

The Chinese military yesterday conducted combat readiness patrols towards the Taiwan Strait as a delegation from the US Congress made a surprise visit to Taipei, offering strong support to the democratically-ruled China-claimed island. he five members of the United States House of Representatives arrived in Taiwan Thursday evening for a two-day trip that had not been previously announced, the second time in a month that American lawmakers have visited the site. As on the last visit, the Chinese military announced patrols near the narrow and sensitive Taiwan Strait which separates the island from its giant neighbor. The Eastern Theater Command…