Chinese Army Sends 33 Aircraft, 4 Ships To Taiwan Strait - Taiwanese Defense Ministry

Taiwan's defense ministry said on Wednesday that the island's armed forces registered 33 aircraft and four ships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) approaching the island during the day.

"33 PLA aircraft and 4 PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy) vessels around our surrounding region were detected today (Oct. 5, 2022) until 17:00 (GMT+8)," the ministry said on Twitter.

According to the ministry, four J-11 fighters, four J-16s, and one Y-8 electronic intelligence aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan sent an air patrol to monitor the situation, issued radio warnings, and deployed anti-aircraft missile systems, the ministry added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said that Taiwan would retaliate if the Chinese armed forces crossed the "red line." He also noted that the entry of Chinese warplanes into the island's airspace would be regarded as a "first strike," but did not specify what response Taiwan would take.