Beijing: China Thursday questioned the existence of Taiwan's Defense Ministry following reports from Taiwan that over 40 military aircraft were detected Thursday around Taiwan.

According to Anadolu Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian raised doubts during a news conference, questioning, "How come the Taiwan region has a 'Ministry of National Defense'?" Lin emphasized that the matter is unrelated to foreign affairs, as reported by state media. Taiwan had reported that 45 Chinese military aircraft, including 34 that crossed the median line and entered Taipei's central and southwestern air defense identification zone, along with 15 ships, were detected around Taiwan Island up to this morning.

Additionally, it was reported that four Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered Taiwan's territorial waters off Kinmen on Tuesday before being driven out by Taiwan Coast Guard ships. In a separate statement, China's Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian issued a warning to Taiwan, stating, "We will come and get you, sooner or later," following a report about Taipei's Han Kuang 41 military exercise.

The Han Kuang exercises, held annually by Taipei, are designed to prepare for combat scenarios. Wu underscored that Taiwan is an "internal affair" and criticized what he described as the US's attempts to "contain" Beijing through Taiwan. He accused Taipei of "soliciting US support for independence" and "resisting unification by force."

China sees Taiwan, which has maintained its independence since 1949, as its "breakaway" province.