In the most recent flare-up of tensions and greatest intrusion since late May, Taiwan scrambled jets to warn away 29 Chinese aircraft in its air defence zone, including bombers that flew south of the island and into the Pacific.
Despite not having been occupied by China for 70 years, Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has protested recently about frequent Chinese air force incursions near the democratically-ruled island, frequently in the southwest portion of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ.
China's periodic military exercises in the area are referred to in Taiwan as "grey zone warfare" and are intended to exhaust Taiwanese forces by making them constantly scramble as well as to assess Taiwan's reaction to military intrusions.
According to Taiwan's defence ministry, the most recent Chinese mission on Tuesday, June 21 included 17 fighters, six H-6 bombers, as well as aircraft for electronic warfare, early warning, antisubmarine, and aerial refuelling.
The bombers flew into the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines and into the Pacific, before turning around and returning to China along the same path. They were joined by an electronic warfare and an intelligence gathering aircraft.
According to the government, Taiwan despatched combat planes to warn off Chinese aircraft while missile systems kept an eye on them.
Since Taiwan detected 30 Chinese aircraft in its ADIZ on May 30, it was the greatest invasion. On January 23, 39 aeroplanes took part in the largest event so far this year.
The Chinese military's extensive exercise, according to Taiwan's foreign minister Joseph Wu, demonstrated that China's military danger is "more serious than ever."
"But Taiwan won't give in and cede its independence and democracy to the powerful aggressor. Definitely not! "On Twitter, Wu said.
The Chinese military said last month that an exercise it had held in the vicinity of Taiwan served as a "solemn warning" against that island's "collusion" with the United States.
When he stated last month that the United States might intervene militarily if China attacked the island, Vice President Joe Biden infuriated China.