ANKARA 

Taiwan said Wednesday that 37 Chinese military aircraft had been detected around the self-ruled island.

The Defense Ministry said 36 of the aircraft crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered its air defense identification zone.

“In conducting air-sea joint training along with carrier Shandong and other PLAN vessels. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," said the ministry on X.

“Overall 37 #PLA aircraft in various types (including J-16, H-6, KJ-500, UAVs, etc.) were detected from 0520hr today. Out of which, 36 crossed the median line of the #Taiwan Strait and entered the south and southeast parts of Taiwan’s ADIZ.”

China views Taiwan as a “breakaway province” despite Taipei having governed itself since 1949. Beijing has vowed to reunify the island, including by force if necessary.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid