Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported a significant Chinese military presence near the island on Saturday morning. According to the agency, around 6 a.m. local time, 62 Air Force aircraft and 27 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships were spotted.

Of these aircraft, 47 crossed the "median line" of the Taiwan Strait and entered the southwestern, southeastern and eastern parts of Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

"The CCP's military exercises, which highlight its hegemonic mentality, undermine regional peace and stability. The Republic of China Armed Forces are ready to defend the country. We do not seek conflict, but we will not shy away from it either.", Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

China, in turn, has been conducting military exercises around Taiwan in recent days, demonstrating that it will not allow the island to officially declare its independence. These exercises have become regular and large-scale, which allows the PRC to keep Taiwan and its allies in constant tension and uncertainty.