Twenty-five Chinese warplanes entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone on Monday, the self-ruled island's Defense Ministry said, the latest in a series of aerial incursions by China.
The Chinese activity was likely a response to closer ties being forged between the United States and Taiwan. The United States said Friday it has issued new guidelines to encourage U.S. government engagement with Taiwan, with which it has no diplomatic ties.
The warplanes involved in the intrusion included 14 J-16 fighter jets and four H-6K bombers, according to the Taiwan ministry. China sent 15 planes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone on Wednesday and 11 on Friday.
China's increasing pressure on the island, which Beijing regards as a renegade province awaiting reunification by force if necessary, has been a source of concern in the United States.
On Friday, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the department has issued new guidelines for U.S. government interaction with Taiwan counterparts, adding that the envisioned engagement would reflect "our deepening unofficial relationship."
