Taiwan says Chinese warplanes entered airspace

Taiwan says Chinese warplanes entered its airspace on Wednesday and Thursday during large-scale war games that it called a "serious provocation to Taiwan and a grave threat to regional peace and stability."

Joanne Ou, spokesperson of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thursday at a news conference in Taipei that its military is fully aware of actions by China's military aircraft and responds effectively.

Ou said such actions by China's People's Liberation Army threaten the entire region and urged the international community to respond.

"Today, the PLA has chosen to conduct exercises near Taiwan; tomorrow it may engage in similar threats near other countries," Ou said.

General Chang Zhe-ping, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of National Defense released several images of China's military aircraft taken by Taiwan's air force at the news conference Thursday evening.

Chang said the Beijing government should restrain its army's activities and maintain regional stability.

China treats Taiwan as its own territory and has been stepping up its threat to bring the island under its control by military force with frequent war games and aerial patrols.

China cut contacts with Taiwan's government following the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who was re-elected this year, and has sought to isolate her diplomatically while ratcheting up political, military and economic pressure.

(Representative Image)