DEFENSE/Swarms of Chinese warplanes detected Wednesday near Taiwan: MND

Taipei, May 1 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Thursday that a large number of Chinese military aircraft were detected near Taiwan on Wednesday, during a "joint combat readiness patrol" drill held by China.

Twenty of the total 34 aircraft detected near Taiwan were taking part in the drill, which involved China's Air Force and Navy, according to information released by the MND on Wednesday and Thursday.

The ministry said 16 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, while 11 crossed its extension.

The line has served as a tacit border between Taiwan and China since the end 1950s, but Chinese military aircraft began crossing it frequently in 2022.

The Chinese warplane activity on Wednesday was detected between 6 a.m. and 7:20 p.m., according to the MND.

In addition, the MND said, eight Chinese military vessels and one other ship were detected in the 24-hour period starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The MND said it had been closely monitoring the situation and had deployed combat air patrol aircraft and coastal missile systems in response to the threats.

The Chinese military has held 14 joint combat readiness patrol drills this year, including three in April, according to MND data.