Report: Chinese military bases near Taiwan show new renovations

March 8 (UPI) -- China could be increasing its military presence near Taiwan, according to a recent press report.

Taiwan News reported Monday Google Earth images show significant expansions at two People's Liberation Army Air Force bases in Fujian Province, as Chinese planes continue to enter Taiwan's air defense identification zone without permission.

China's Longtian Airbase and Huian Airbase can deploy planes to reach the Taiwanese capital within 7 minutes, the report said.

Satellite pictures indicate China has renovated and widened runways at both locations. Taiwanese analysts said the expansions follow past patterns, according to the report and Taiwan's United Daily News.

Chang Yen-ting, a retired Taiwan Air Force deputy commander, said China is honing its skills in "subduing the enemy without fighting," and the bases will play a greater role in the future, reports said.

Taiwan has stepped up investments in its defense industry under President Tsai Ing-wen, who has challenged Chinese leader Xi Jinping's approach to Taiwan and Beijing's One-China policy. Cross-strait relations have declined amid Chinese incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ, most recently on March 2.

Tsai said Monday Taiwan is upgrading its Weihai Naval Base and inspected its 131st Fleet in Keelung City, Radio Taiwan International reported.

Tsai said the navy's duties include tracking the movements of Chinese ships and protecting Taiwan's outlying islands.

Last week a Chinese Shaanxi Y-8 reconnaissance plane flew into the southwestern section of Taiwan's ADIZ, according to Taiwan News. The Y-8 is based on the Antonov An-12, a military Soviet plane. Taiwan responded by scrambling fighter jets and issued radio warnings.

Other Chinese activity, part of its "gray zone tactics," has included amphibious landing exercises, cyberattacks and diplomatic isolation, the report said.

China's provocations have continued after U.S. lawmakers reintroduced the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act in February, which urges greater security cooperation between Washington and Taipei.