95 PLA aircraft, vessels detected near Taiwan during drill Tuesday

Taipei, April 2 (CNA) Ninety-five aircraft and vessels operated by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) were detected around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).

The MND's report details the 24-hour period in which the PLA said it carried out joint exercises involving its army, navy, air force and rocket forces "as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against 'Taiwanese independence' separatist forces."

The MND said 76 PLA aircraft, including 27 that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, were detected during this period.

The MND also confirmed that 15 Chinese naval vessels and four government ships were detected in the 24-hour period, bringing the total number of aircraft and ships to 95.

The ministry said it "closely monitored" the Chinese operations and deployed aircraft, vessels and shore-based missile systems in response.

The MND also reported on Tuesday that the PLA's Shandong aircraft carrier engaged in operations about 220 nautical miles southeast of Taiwan that day.

Between 10 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, 14 Chinese fighter aircraft and helicopters were detected southeast of Taiwan, outside Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), according to the ministry.

These aerial movements were probably related to the operations of the Shandong aircraft carrier battle group, the MND said.