Taiwan says it detected Chinese aircraft and ships around island today

's defence ministry said 51 Chinese aircraft and six Chinese ships had been detected operating around Taiwan on Thursday as continued military activities near the island.

That included 25 aircraft that crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line, which in normal times acts as an unofficial barrier between the two sides, or flew into Taiwan's air defence zone.

The sortie came after the U.S. government said it will hold trade talks with Taiwan in a sign of support for the island democracy that claims as its own territory, prompting Beijing to warn it will take action to 'safeguard its sovereignty.'

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