Taipei: China on Thursday launched joint air and sea military drills around Taiwan, according to Taipei's Defense Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ministry reported on X that it had detected 47 Chinese aircraft by 8.30 am local time Thursday (0030GMT). The ministry further detailed that 32 of these People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. They entered the island's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zones while conducting air-sea joint training alongside other PLAN (Chinese navy) vessels.

At the time of reporting, there was no confirmation from China regarding these military activities. China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, whereas Taiwan maintains its stance on independence since 1949.