Taiwan reported that it had intercepted 37 Chinese fighter jets, drones and other aircraft near the self-governing island. At the same time, China carried out "long-range" training flights.
Beijing has increased its military activity around Taiwan in recent years. It has been putting pressure on Taipei to accept its claims of sovereignty over the island, AFP reported.
Chinese aircraft have been spotted since 9:00 a.m. and 35 of them have crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, which separates mainland China and Taiwan. They have entered Taiwanese airspace on their way to the western Pacific, the defence ministry said.
Taiwan's military has responded by deploying aircraft, warships and coastal missile systems.
The exercise came a day after Taiwan said it had spotted a Chinese military "joint combat readiness patrol" around the island involving fighter jets and warships.
Taiwan spotted 27 Chinese aircraft and six warships in the 24 hours to 6:00 a.m. on November 3, the ministry said.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and refuses to rule out using force to bring the democratic island under its control.
Last month, Beijing conducted large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan area. These were condemned by Taipei and its key backer, the US.
The Chinese military conducted long-range training flights in late September, the ministry said earlier. Beijing then also fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific. | BGNES
