Taiwan says it tracked 29 Chinese military aircraft, 10 naval vessels

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - Taiwan's Defense Ministry said Monday that it detected Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels around the island for a second consecutive day.

The ministry tracked 29 Chinese military aircraft, 10 naval vessels and four official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. local time Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday, the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported.

Sixteen of the 29 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the ministry.

In response, Taiwan said it sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLA activity.

China in recent years has increased the frequency of its military drills around Taiwan, which it considers its breakaway province. Taipei, however, insists on its independence.

So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 467 times and ships 253 times.

Beijing has yet to comment on Taipei's latest claims.

*Writing by Aamir Latif