AFP, Taipei

Dozens of Chinese warplanes and 10 navy ships were detected around Taiwan, authorities in Taipei said yesterday after warning that Beijing was conducting air and sea drills in the Western Pacific.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and relations have soured since the island’s independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016.

Beijing has in recent years ratcheted up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan and the number of warplane flights around the island increased dramatically following visit by Nancy Pelosi, then-speaker of US House of Representatives.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said in a statement that 68 Chinese aircraft and 10 naval vessels were detected near the island between Wednesday morning and yesterday.