Taiwan’s defense ministry announced on Saturday that it had detected 21 aircraft and five Chinese ships operating around Taiwan as China continued military exercises near the island, Reuters and Agerpres reported.

The quoted ministry said no Chinese aircraft had crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait, the unofficial barrier between China and Taiwan.

Since August 4, China has organized large-scale military maneuvers, mobilizing aircraft, ships and ballistic missiles in six sectors around the island of Taiwan in response to a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Chinese military explained that through joint air and naval operations around the island of Taiwan, it “effectively tested” its combat capability.

Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the island part of its territory. In 1979, Washington officially severed diplomatic relations with the authorities in Taipei and established relations with Beijing.

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