China sends 71 warplanes and seven ships towards Taiwan in 24 hours

China’s military sent 71 planes and seven ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the island, Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Monday (Taiwan Ministry of Defence/AP)

China’s military sent 71 planes and seven ships towards Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the island, Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Monday.

It came after China expressed anger at Taiwan-related provisions in a US annual defence spending bill that was passed on Saturday.