China has sent 33 fighter jets and a group of six naval vessels toward Taiwan, the island's Defense Ministry said on Saturday, adding that Taiwan responded by deploying its own forces.
The number of daily warplane deployments marked a new high since Taiwan held its democratic presidential and legislative elections on January 13.
The increased military pressure from Beijing came as two US Congressmen wrapped up a three-day visit to Taiwan on Friday. Ami Bera and Mario Diaz-Balart had come as the first official US delegation since the election of William Lai Ching-te as Taiwan's new president, reports DW.
13 of the 33 Chinese fighter jets crossed the unofficial median line in the Taiwan Strait that separates Taiwan and China, the ministry said.
Moreover, the ministry reported that two Chinese balloons crossed the line and then disappeared while flying to the northern and southern parts of the island.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
