The Ministry of National Defense today said that a large number of Chinese military aircraft were detected near Taiwan yesterday during a "joint combat readiness patrol" drill held by China.
Twenty of the total 34 aircraft detected near Taiwan were taking part in the drill, which involved China's air force and navy, according to information released by the ministry yesterday and today.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense
The ministry said 16 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, while 11 crossed its extension.
The line has served as a tacit border between Taiwan and China since the end 1950s, but Chinese military aircraft began crossing it frequently in 2022.
The Chinese warplane activity yesterday was detected between 6am and 7:20pm, the ministry said.
In addition, eight Chinese military vessels and one other ship were detected in the 24-hour period starting at 6am yesterday, it added.
The ministry said it had been closely monitoring the situation and deployed combat air patrol aircraft and coastal missile systems in response to the threats.
The Chinese military has held 14 joint combat readiness patrol drills this year, including three last month, ministry data showed.
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