Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Saturday said it detected the presence of 12 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, five People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and one official ship around its territory.

Taiwan said nine of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern regions.

Taiwan's MND posted on X: " 12 PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."

The Chinese activities around Taiwan have witnessed a spike in recent times.

What is the basis of China’s claim over Taiwan?

The basis of China’s claim over Taiwan dates back to 1945 when Japan lost its control over the island in 1945,post-World War Two.

The 1949 Chinese civil war led to communists taking control and Chiang Kai-shek, the one who lost, fled to Taiwan.

He ruled it for many decades.

This is where China’s claim to Taiwan emanates.

The very fact that Chiang Kai-shek came to Taiwan and was not indigenous to the place is Taiwan’s argument against the claim.