On Sunday, PLA Air Force spokesman Senior Colonel Shen Jinke told reporters, in recent years, the strategic bombers have carried out "countless" operations near Taiwan. Shen was speaking to the reporters at an air force open day. These past operations he referenced were likely in the island's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) which is not recognized by international law and includes much of mainland China itself. A country's airspace is directly above its territory, extending 12 miles off its coast. He added the "H-6Ks – along with other fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, early warning aircraft and [aerial] tankers – will continue to fulfil these missions."

The report describes the H-6Ks as having a "a combat range of more than 3,500km (2,200 miles), the H-6K is designed to carry long-range CJ-20 cruise missiles for attacks on land and sea targets as well as short-range missiles like the KD-63."

Shen also discussed the YU-20 aerial tanker, the "refueling variant of the Y-20 transport aircraft." The YU-20 made its debut at the air force open day. Shen said the YU-20s were already being used in combat-readiness training and would "improve the long-range operational capabilities of other PLA warplanes – the first official announcement that the aerial tanker was taking part in drills. It was spotted on a PLA patrol near Taiwan for the first time in November."