43 Chinese Air Force Aircraft Crossing The Line Of The Taiwan Strait Median 24 Hours Last, Taipei Use Combat Jets Send Warning

Illustration of Taiwan's F-16 fighter jets overshadows Chinese H-6 bombers in the air defense identification zone. (Wikimedia Commons/Goldy)

JAKARTA -Forty-three Chinese air force aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the past 24 hours, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said on Monday, as Beijing resumes its military activities near the island it claims China.

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, said it had carried out "attack exercises" in the sea and airspace around Taiwan on Sunday, in response to what it said was a provocation of the democratically-ruled island and the United States.

Taiwan, which vehemently rejects China's claim to sovereignty, said the exercise showed Beijing destroyed regional peace and sought to scare the Taiwanese people away.

Jets involved in the last attack briefly crossed sensitive Taiwan Strait median lines, unofficial buffers, according to a map provided by Taiwan's defense ministry. Seven Chinese naval vessels were also detected near Taiwan, the ministry said.

Taiwan sent unspecified warplanes warning Chinese aircraft, while missile systems monitored their flights, the ministry said, using standard words for its response.

China has stepped up pressure in recent years on the self-governing island, to accept Beijing's rules.

Meanwhile, the Taiwanese government says it wants peace, but will defend itself if attacked.