TAIPEI, Feb 27 – Taiwan said today it detected 45 Chinese aircraft near the self-ruled island, which is the highest number this year and comes a day after Taipei condemned China’s “live-fire” drills off the south.
In the 24 hours to 6am (2200 GMT on Wednesday), 45 Chinese aircraft and 14 warships were spotted near the island, the defence ministry said in a statement.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.
Taiwan said yesterday China held “live-fire exercises” without warning in an area about 74 kilometres off the island’s south, which Taipei condemned as dangerous and a violation of “international norms”.
China has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty over the island, which Taipei rejects. – AFP
