China sends fighter jets in show of force off Taiwan

Aircraft and warships near the island could be connected to turmoil in China

A Chinese warship takes part in a military drill off the Chinese coast near Fuzhou, Fujian province, across from the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands on April 11. © Reuters

THOMPSON CHAU, Contributing writer

September 18, 2023 15:49 JST

TAIPEI -- China over the weekend sent warships and a large group of fighter jets near Taiwan as Beijing further ratchets up tensions in the region.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said on Monday it had identified 103 Chinese aircraft over the sea and six warships near Taiwan between Sunday and Monday morning. Forty of the aircraft had crossed the median line or entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone, the ministry said.