BackTaiwan says 103 Chinese warplanes detected around island
Taiwan detects 103 Chinese warplanes and 9 vessels near its borders.
PremiumTaiwan's defence ministry said on Monday it had detected 103 Chinese warplanes around the island in a 24-hour period.
"103 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected" between Sunday and Monday morning, the ministry said in a statement, referring to China's air force and navy.
China’s military regularly sends planes over waters south and west of Taiwan. The island’s Defense Ministry said that 40 of the planes detected Sunday and early Monday crossed the symbolic median line between Taiwan and mainland China.
Taiwan is a self-governing island that is claimed by China. China has conducted increasingly large military drills in the air and waters around Taiwan in what some see as a campaign of intimidation.
Taiwan urges China to stop 'destructive' military activities
Meanwhile, Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday urged China to stop "destructive, unilateral action" after reporting a sharp rise in Chinese military activities near the island, warning such behaviour could lead to a sharp increase in tensions.
China's activities over the past day have caused "serious challenges" to security in the strait and regionally, the ministry said in an accompanying statement.
Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are the common responsibilities of all parties in the region, it added.
"The continuous military harassment by the Communist military can easily lead to a sharp increase in tensions and worsen regional security," the ministry said. "We call on the Beijing authorities to take responsibility and immediately stop such destructive unilateral actions."
China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(More details awaited)
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