Taiwan's defense ministry said Thursday, June 27, it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around the island during the 24-hour window leading up to 6:00 am.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will never renounce the use of force to bring the self-ruled democracy under its control.

It has stepped up pressure on Taipei in recent years and held military drills around the island following last month's inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing regards as a "dangerous separatist."

During those drills, Beijing sent 62 military aircraft around Taiwan in the highest single-day total this year, according to Taipei's defense ministry.

Le Monde with AFP