Taiwan’s Defense Ministry announced that China has sent 20 warplanes and 14 warships toward the island on the third day of its military drills around Taiwan.
A statement issued by the ministry and published on its official page on Twitter said that Beijing sent 4 J-11 fighters, 4 J-16 fighters, and 10 Su-30 fighters, in addition to a Y-20 heavy military transport aircraft, and a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft.
The statement added that Taiwan has sent an air patrol to monitor the situation, and has deployed anti-aircraft missile systems.
Beijing has been conducting large military drills since last Thursday in a number of areas around the island, only 20 km from the island’s coast, according to social media.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the drills aim to besiege the island and control the airspace.
As soon as the drills began, Taiwan stressed that its army are prepared for war without striving for it.
China launched live-fire military drills around the island last Thursday, in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
Last Tuesday, Nancy Pelosi arrived at Taipei Songshan Airport, the first trip to the island by the US House speaker since 1997.
Her unannounced visit to the island attracted fierce criticism from Beijing and prompted Beijing to summon the US ambassador.
In response to Pelosi’s visit to the island, China launched military drills near Taiwan.
