Open in full screen mode Twenty planes crossed “the median line of the Taiwan Strait”, an unofficial demarcation between China and Taiwan that the former does not recognize, according to Taipei. (File photo) Agence France-Presse Twenty Chinese military aircraft have been detected around Taiwan since nightfall on Thursday, announced the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense. A total of 20 aircraft […] were detected today from 7:30 p.m., the Defense Ministry said, adding that #x27;he was monitoring the situation. Earlier in the day, he reported the presence of 32 Chinese fighter jets around Taiwan, the second largest deployment since the start of the year. Within 24 hours, the island's Defense Ministry also detected five warships operating around Taiwan, according to a statement. Twenty planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation between China and Taiwan that the former does not recognize, the ministry said. Loading ELSE ON NEWS: Ottawa wants to reduce the proportion of temporary residents by 2027Loading ELSE ON NEWS: Ottawa wants to reduce the proportion of temporary residents of here 2027 Taiwan's armed forces monitored the situation and used (patrol) aircraft, naval vessels and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities, according to the statement. Taiwan is an autonomous island that China claims as part of its territory and which it wants to seize one day, by force if necessary. On two other occasions, in late January and early February, 33 Chinese warplanes were spotted around Taiwan, the highest number of such aircraft in the area since the start of the year. < p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">These deployments were noted shortly after the presidential election of January 13, won by the current vice-president Lai Ching-te, little appreciated by Beijing .
Ottawa wants to reduce the proportion of temporary residents by 2027
Ottawa wants to reduce the proportion of temporary residents by 2027
Political observers saw in Lai Ching-te's victory last January a will of the Taiwanese people to escape Chinese influence. (File photo)
Last month, Taipei announced that 11 Chinese warships had been detected around Taiwan, the highest figure this year, amid a row with Beijing over a fishing boat incident increases tensions.
On February 14, this ship was chased by the Taiwanese coast guard for having, according to them, entered the waters of Kinmen, a small archipelago administered by Taipei, but located only five kilometers from the city of Xiamen, in the Chinese province of Fujian.
A collision then occurred and the four people on board fell into the water, two of whom had died. The two others, rescued, were arrested before being able to return to mainland China.
Beijing accused the Taiwanese authorities of seeking to avoid their responsibilities and to hide the truth about the incident, while a Taiwanese coast guard official said the boat involved was zigzagging and lost its balance before capsizing.
Taiwan also detected a record eight Chinese balloons on two consecutive days during the Lunar New Year holiday last month, with some flying directly over that island .