The Defense Ministry said on Wednesday morning that a total of 43 Chinese aircraft and seven ships were detected around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday. According to the ministry, 37 of the aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the southeast and southwest Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ).
The news follows the recent transit of China’s Shandong aircraft carrier through the Bashi Channel separating Taiwan from the Philippines on October 26. The Defense Ministry released black and white photos of the Shandong on the same day. The ministry said multiple aircraft and sea vessels have moved through Taiwan's southeast ADIZ to join the carrier for joint patrols. It says it continues to use aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor and respond to the situation.