China’s air force on Thursday sent formations of Xian H-6 strategic bombers near Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and the Miyako Strait south of Japan’s Okinawa as part of a long-range drill, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said that day.

Japan’s defence ministry also issued a statement late on Thursday describing the flyover by the formation of Xian H-6 bombers earlier that day as “unusual”, while noting that there had been no violation of Japanese airspace.

Near the border with Taiwan and Japan were spotted the Xian H-6K is an updated version of the H-6 medium-range bomber. The H-6K is designed for long-range attacks and stand-off attacks. It is considered as a strategic bomber. It is capable of attacking US carrier battle groups and priority targets in Asia.This aircraft has nuclear strike capability.

Earlier this week, Ministry of National Defense People’s Republic of China reported that the H-6 bombers attached to an aviation regiment of the air force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command will take part at a maritime orientation flight training exercise.