The Chinese aircraft fleet was spotted crossing the Taiwan Strait boundary, blocking the island's air force from intercepting fighters.

Taiwan's defense agency said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) yesterday deployed the KJ-500 early warning aircraft and J-11 fighters during the exercise around 19:00 last night in the southwest. Island. The Taiwanese Air Force has deployed fighters to "monitor, block, and dispel" the fleet.

"In addition to increasing the military's adaptability in all conditions, Beijing's aircraft fleet has sent a message that this is their regular operation despite the outbreak of Covid-19," Huang Chieh-cheng, professor of international relations and strategic research at Dam Jiang University, Taiwan, said.

He also said that the exercise also aimed to test the reaction of other forces such as the US, and implied that the PLA air force could conduct combat operations at night. "Of course it is also intended to threaten Taiwan," Mr. Huang added.

This is the fourth time in two months that the Taiwanese Air Force has to intercept PLA aircraft. This series of actions is thought to be the reason why the United States recently deployed two B-52 bombers to the east coast of Taiwan, then dispatched the multi-tasking fighter jet MJ-130J Commando II over the strait.

China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory, ready to be united by force if necessary. Relations between the two sides became more tense after Thai Anh Van, who did not recognize the "One China" policy, became leader of the island in May 2016.

Since then, Beijing has been conducting military operations near the island and is believed to be pressuring countries to establish relations with Taipei. Despite Taiwan losing seven diplomatic allies, Thai in January was re-elected for a second term.