Taiwan says it detected 43 Chinese aircraft, 7 warships near island

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Taiwan said on Wednesday that it had detected 43 Chinese warplanes and seven warships, some of which crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

"43 warplanes and seven warships were detected around Taiwan within 24 hours up to 6 a.m. today (2200GMT Tuesday)," Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said in a daily statement.

The ministry added that 37 of the detected warplanes had crossed the strait’s median line and entered Taiwan’s southwest and southeast Air Defense Information Zone (ADIZ) during the past 24 hours.

"Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked Combat Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond (to) these activities," the statement said.

China, which considers Taiwan as its breakaway province, does not recognize the median line or the air defense zone. Taipei, however, has insisted on its independence since 1949.

On Tuesday, Taiwan said that it had detected 11 Chinese warplanes and six warships, some of which had crossed the strait’s median line.