Taiwan activated defence zone after Chinese warplanes enter its air space

Taiwan activated its defence systems on Thursday after reporting 37 Chinese military aircraft flew into the island's air defence zone, some of which then flew into the Western Pacific in Beijing's latest mass air incursion.

China, which has ruled Taiwan as its territory, has frequently flown its air force into the skies near the island over the past three years, though not into Taiwan's territorial air space.

Taiwan's defence ministry said it has detected 37 Chinese air force planes, including J- 11 and J- 16 fighters and nuclear-capable H- 6 bombers, flying into the southwestern corner of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ.

The ADIZ is a broader area Taiwan monitors and patrols to give its forces more time to respond to threats.

Some of the planes flew to Taiwan's southeast and crossed into the western Pacific to conduct air surveillance and long-distance navigation training, the ministry said in a statement.

Taiwan sent its aircraft and ships to keep watch and activated land-based missile systems, Taiwan said in a statement, using its standard wording for how it responds to such Chinese activity.

China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China has completed a second phase of joint air patrols with Russia over the Western Pacific on Wednesday, following flights on the previous day over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, prompting concerns in Japan about its national security.

Laura Rosenberger, chair of the American Institute in Taiwan, is visiting Taiwan this week to oversee the unofficial relationship between Washington and Taipei.

On Monday, she told Taiwan media that the United States had an enduring interest in preserving stability in the Taiwan Strait and the United States would continue to arm the island, a source of constant friction in Sino-US relations.

In April, China held war games around Taiwan following Taiwan's visit to the United States by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

The government of Taiwan refuses China's sovereignty claims and says only the island's people can decide their future.