Taiwan detects dozens of Chinese aircraft near island after UK ship patrol

An elite unit within the Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration, responsible for high-risk operations like counterterrorism, anti-smuggling, and air-sea rescue, takes part in a maritime drill in Taiwan's Kaohsiung earlier in June, as threats from China continue to ramp up [Yu Chen Cheng/AFP]

Taiwan‘s defence ministry says that it has detected more than 70 Chinese military aircraft around the island in the last 24 hours, just days after a British naval vessel sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.

The latest sightings reported on Friday come as Beijing continues to ramp up the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent months to press its claim of sovereignty of the island, which Taipei rejects.