Iran Press/ Asia: This surge in Chinese military aircraft activity around Taiwan represents the highest single-day count this year, occurring just days before the inauguration of Taiwan's new president, viewed by China as a provocative separatist figure.
Meanwhile, Taipei said on Wednesday (May 15) it had detected 45 Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan, the highest single-day number this year and coming less than a week before the island inaugurates its new president whom China regards as a "dangerous separatist".
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijing's control.
It has warned that Lai Ching-te, the current vice president who will be sworn into Taiwan's top post on May 20, would bring "war and decline" to the island, and tensions have soared since he won the January poll.
On Wednesday, Taipei's defense ministry said it had detected 45 Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan during the 24 hours leading up to 6 am local time.
"Twenty-six of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait," the ministry said in a statement, referring to a line bisecting the 180km waterway that separates Taiwan from China.
On Tuesday evening, the ministry said 23 Chinese aircraft - including fighter jets and drones - were detected around Taiwan during two hours.
Beijing has in recent years upped military pressure on Taiwan, maintaining a near-daily presence of warplanes, drones, and naval vessels around the island.
The largest ever seen around Taiwan was last September when Beijing sent in 103 warplanes and aircraft - 40 of which crossed the median line.
Experts say these are "grey zone tactics", which stop short of outright acts of war but serve to exhaust Taipei's military.
205
