Taipei [Taiwan], July 12: Taiwan's Defence Ministry on Thursday said it registered 66 Chinese warplanes operating around the self-governing island within 24 hours, the highest number of Chinese daily sorties so far this year.
According to the ministry, 56 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, south-western and south-eastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
Meanwhile, seven Chinese navy vessels operating around Taiwan on Wednesday were also detected, the ministry said.
The ministry said in a statement that Taiwan had monitored the situation and had tasked combat air patrol aircraft, Navy vessels and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities.
It comes after the ministry said Wednesday that dozens of Chinese warplanes were crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, flying through the southern and south-eastern airspace to the western Pacific to conduct a joint sea-air training in coordination with China's Shandong aircraft carrier.
On Thursday, Taiwan's defense ministry said it was keeping a close watch on Chinese military movements around the island, including aircraft and vessels taking part in the drills with the Shandong.
The previous record number for this year of 62 daily sorties by Chinese warplanes was reported on May 25, just days after the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.
On May 23, China announced plans to launch a major military exercise around Taiwan to simulate a blockade around the island.
Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have risen since presidential and legislative elections were held in democratic Taiwan in January. Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the self-ruled democracy part of its territory.
Taipei has reported repeated Chinese military activity in the last four years as Beijing steps up pressure on the island.
Source: Qatar Tribune
