Taiwan spots several Chinese warplanes, warships approaching island

Taiwan's Armed Forces have detected 12 aircraft and seven ships of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) approaching the island.

“Four aircraft entered the island's air defence identification zone to the southwest of the island. They are a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft and three J-16 fighter jets,” TASS reports, citing a statement by the island's Defence Ministry.

Taiwan's army responded with aircraft, ships, and land-based anti-aircraft missile systems to monitor the targets, the statement said.

Taiwan has been ruled by its own administration since 1949 when remnants of the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled there after being defeated in China's civil war. Beijing considers Taiwan to be one of the PRC's provinces.