`Two H-6 bombers, eight J-16 fighters, four J-10 fighters and four J-11 fighters crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait and entered the air defense identification zone on the other side.

Chinese H-6 bombers approached the island of Taiwan on the morning of September 18.

Taiwan’s armed forces later published an image of a Chinese H-6 bomber carrying long-range cruise missiles, while the island’s media published a photo of a Taiwanese F-16 fighter carrying surface-to-air missiles.

Taiwanese fighters apparently launched 17 sorties in just 4 hours of the morning to close in and ask mainland Chinese aircraft to leave the air defense identification zone around the island.

The information was released just a few hours after Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said the Chinese Army’s Eastern Theater Command `is conducting military exercises near the Taiwan Strait.`

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said that this is a `necessary and appropriate` action to respond to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait and `protect sovereignty and territorial integrity`.

The military activities take place as US Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Keith Krach begins visiting Taiwan today, a move that could increase tensions between Beijing and Washington, which have already been heightened.

`The US and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan have recently increased their collusion, often causing chaos. Taking advantage of Taiwan to control China or relying on foreign countries to demand independence is just an illusion.

Taiwanese technicians install missiles for F-16 fighters on the morning of September 18.

China considers Taiwan a part of its territory awaiting reunification and is ready to use force if necessary.

Beijing has held at least 11 drills since July, some involving live fire, in various waters including the East and South China Seas, as well as near the island of Taiwan.

Four unnamed US officials said on September 16 that the country is planning to transfer 7 important weapons systems at the same time, including mines, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).