Taiwan’s defense ministry reported 25 Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels near the country in the 24 hours leading into Wednesday morning. Twenty-three of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

US Air Force officials and experts have long been concerned the fleet is shrinking and aging as China's grows and advances.

Academic study concludes US Air Force approach to airpower in East Asia during major war against China would likely fail, with Chinese missiles capable of targeting regional facilities used by American forces.

Taiwan is warily watching whether China could seek to try and exert economic control over sensitive frontline Taiwanese islands in a key development plan being discussed in Beijing this week, officials familiar with the matter said.

"25 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 23 out of 25 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," it stated.

China has announced a new holiday called the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration, as part of its claims over the self-ruled island.

The U.S. has deployed troops and anti-ship missiles into the northern Philippines as part of almost continuous, joint war drills throughout the country. One goal: to block the Bashi Channel and deny Chinese warships access to the Pacific Ocean if Beijing attacks Taiwan.

The two separate crashes occurred about 30 minutes apart and involved a helicopter and a fighter jet operating from the USS Nimitz.

The incident in the South China Sea on Sunday highlights tension in a region where China is demonstrating its growing military capabilities.

TAIPEI/BEIJING, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Taiwan scrambled fighter jets on Friday as 18 Chinese aircraft buzzed the island, crossing the sensitive midline of the Taiwan Strait, in response to a senior U.S. official holding talks in Taipei. China had earlier ...