(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, Aug 5 (KUNA) -- Taiwan said Friday Chinese aircraft and warships crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, describing China's military exercises around the island nation as 'highly provocative,' the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported.
As of 11 a.m. (0300 GMT), several Chinese People's Liberation Army aircraft and warships had been spotted in waters around Taiwan, with some crossing the median line, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The median line serves as an unofficial border separating Taiwan and China and breaching it represents a more aggressive posture than Beijing's frequent sorties in the past two years into Taiwan's air defense identification zone, according to the report.
The ministry did not provide any details on how many Chinese military aircraft and ships crossed the median line on Friday, after saying 22 Chinese military planes did so on Thursday. In response to the 'highly provocative' exercises, the military will enhance its capabilities and readiness for war to safeguard the country's sovereignty without escalating tensions or triggering conflicts that might lead to a war, it said.
The Chinese army began four days of live-fire military drills in six maritime areas around Taiwan on Thursday after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi concluded a 19-hour visit to Taiwan on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, China fired 11 ballistic missiles in the general direction of Taiwan on Thursday, the first day of four days of live-fire military drills in six maritime areas around the island, the report said. (end)
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