Mainland China’s military appeared to have stepped up manoeuvres near Taiwan during the country’s extended Lunar New Year holiday, usually a quiet period for defence and exercise activity.
The annual holiday, for which the dates vary each year based on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, concluded last week on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
During the two-week-long period, 70 per cent of the aircraft crossed the de facto median line between mainland China and Taiwan, up from 32 per cent a year earlier, according to the Taiwan figures.
Analysts said the development was expected as Beijing regularised its military posture on Taiwan, a self-ruled island which it considers part of its territory that must be taken under its control, by force if necessary.
