China sends aircraft and vessels towards Taiwan days after US approves arms sale

Taiwan aid China sent dozens of aircraft and vessels toward the island (Jin Danhua/Xinhua via AP, File)

Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Saturday that China sent dozens of aircraft and vessels towards the island, just days after the United States approved a 500 million dollar (£395 million) arms sale to Taiwan.

The defence ministry said in a statement that 32 aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army and nine vessels from the navy were detected in the 24 hours between 6am on Friday and 6am on Saturday local time.