Above, Chinese drills near Taiwan Strait<\/p>\n
It continues the three days of sustained military harassment against the self-ruled island.<\/p>\n
The sortie included 34 J-16 fighter jets and 12 H-6 bombers, among other aircraft, according to Taiwan\u2019s Ministry of National Defence.<\/p>\n
The Taiwanese air force scrambled jets and monitored the movement of the Chinese warplanes on its air defence system.<\/p>\n
Starting last Friday, on China\u2019s National Day, the People\u2019s Liberation Army sent 38 warplanes into the area and 39 aircraft on Saturday, previously the most in a single day since Taiwan began releasing reports on the flights in September 2020.<\/p>\n
China sent an additional 16 planes on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The number of flights into Taiwan\u2019s air defence identification zone had prompted a statement from US State Department spokesperson Ned Price over the weekend, who warned that China\u2019s military activity near Taiwan risks miscalculation and undermines regional peace and stability.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary.<\/p>\n
It refuses to recognise the island\u2019s government and has increasingly sought to isolate the independence-leaning administration of President Tsai Ing-wen.<\/p>\n
Taiwan and China split during a civil war in 1949, and Beijing opposes Taiwan\u2019s involvement in international organisations.<\/p>\n