China has flown 28 military jet fighters and nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan-controlled airspace - the largest sortie of its kind since Taiwan started releasing information about the incursions last year, Channel News Asia said Wednesday.
Taiwan's air force mobilized air patrols in response and kept track of the situation in the southwestern part of the island state's air defense identification zone, the Ministry of National Defense said.
A U.S. aircraft carrier group recently conducted drills in the disputed South China Sea, the South China Morning Post reported.
Group of Seven leaders earlier issued a joint statement reprimanding China and stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China denounced the statement as "slander," reports said.
Zhao Lijian, China's Foreign Ministry representative, said this week the G-7 was intentionally "interfering in China's internal affairs," according to The Associated Press.
The China flights are viewed by some as China exerting pressure on Taiwan. China considers Taiwan part of China.
Chinese defense officials didn't respond to requests for comment.
Since 2020, China has flown combat aircraft toward Taiwan on an almost daily basis in what China calls a "demonstration of its seriousness in defending its national sovereignty," The Associated Press said.
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