Eleven Chinese ships were discovered around Taiwan within 24 hours, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Wednesday, a record since the beginning of the year.
• Also read: Taiwan: 33 Chinese military aircraft detected in 24 hours
• Also read: A Chinese aircraft carrier and 39 military aircraft near Taiwan-controlled waters
In the 24 hours before 6 a.m. Wednesday (Tuesday, 10 p.m. GMT), China sent 15 military aircraft, 11 warships and a balloon around the island, the ministry said.
According to the same source, at least 15 more Chinese fighter jets have been discovered since then.
This is a record since the beginning of the year, as between four and six Chinese ships are typically discovered in a 24-hour window, according to official Taiwanese data.
In December, 11 Chinese ships were spotted around Taiwan ahead of the presidential election, which was won in January by Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing described as a “separatist.”
A Chinese maritime surveillance ship and four Chinese coast guard boats briefly entered the waters around Kinmen on Monday, according to Kuan Bi-ling, Taiwan's minister of maritime affairs.
This increase in activity comes amid heightened tensions between Beijing and Taipei following a deadly maritime incident involving a Taiwanese coast guard ship.
A Chinese speedboat with four people on board capsized near the Kinmen Islands in Taiwan on February 14 while being pursued by the Taiwan Coast Guard, killing two Chinese fishermen.
The other two crew members were rescued and temporarily held in Kinmen.
Beijing accused Taiwanese authorities of “attempting to evade responsibility and hide the truth about this incident.”
According to the Taiwan Coast Guard, the Chinese boat involved was on a zigzag course and “lost balance and capsized” as it tried to escape the patrol vessel.