Taiwanβs defence ministry said Friday it had detected 36 Chinese military aircraft around the island in the previous 24 hours.
A further 26 aircraft β including fighters, transport planes and drones β were detected after 6:55 am (2255 GMT) Friday, the ministry said.
China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijingβs control.
It has stepped up pressure on Taipei in recent years and held war games around the island following the May 20 inauguration of new Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te, who Beijing regards as a βdangerous separatistβ.
During those drills, Beijing sent 62 military aircraft around Taiwan β the highest single-day total this year β as well as 27 naval vessels, according to Taipeiβs defence ministry.
