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TAIPEI, June 11-
Taiwan's air force swung into action on Sunday after it spotted 10 Chinese warplanes crossing the sensitive middle line of the Taiwan Strait, as the island's defense ministry said four Chinese warships were also conducting combat patrols.
It is the second time in less than a week that Taiwan has reported renewed Chinese military activity after 37 Chinese military aircraft flew into the island's air defense zone on Thursday, some of which then flew into the western Pacific. China, which regards democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, has regularly flown its air force in the skies near the island in the past three years, though not into Taiwan's territorial airspace.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said in a brief statement that as of 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Sunday detected 24 Chinese air force aircraft, including J-10, J-11, J-16 and Su-30 fighters, as well as H-6 bombers.
She did not specify where the plane was flying, but said the 10 crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides and previously served as an unofficial barrier. China says it does not recognize it and has routinely exceeded it since last year.
Four Chinese naval ships were also involved in "joint combat readiness patrols", the ministry added, without giving details.
Taiwan has dispatched its own fighter jets and deployed ships and land-based missile systems to keep watch, he said, using typical wording of how it responds to such Chinese activities.
China's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. She did not comment on Thursday's flights. China has previously said the missions are to protect the country's sovereignty and are aimed at a "secret deal" between Taiwan and the United States, the island's top international backer and arms dealer.
In April, China staged war games around Taiwan following Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States.
Taiwan's government rejects China's claims to sovereignty, saying that only the island's residents can decide their future. China has never given up on using force to bring Taiwan, which is preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections in January, under its control.
In a video address to supporters on the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands off China's coast on Sunday, Taiwanese Vice President William Lai said he would do everything to "stabilize the peaceful status quo in the Taiwan Strait" if he wins the presidency. campaign office said.
Lai is running as the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Tsai can't run again because of deadlines.
Tsai has repeatedly offered to negotiate with China but has been rebuffed because Beijing views her and her party as separatists. Laura Rosenberger, president of the American Taiwan Institute, which manages informal relations between Washington and Taipei, visited Taiwan last week and met with all three presidential candidates.
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