43 planes and 7 ships are sent by China to the self-governing island of Taiwan to keep up the military pressure

Taiwan said Wednesday that China sent 43 military aircraft and seven ships near the self-ruled island, indicating that Beijing will continue its harassment, threats, and intimidation.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported that 37 aircraft had crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, which China no longer recognizes as an informal divider, in the 24 hours to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday.

It said Taiwan monitored the situation, scrambled jet fighters, dispatched ships, and activated land-based missile systems in response to Chinese military activities, which include entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone but not its airspace.

Since Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022, China has launched more aggressive maneuvers. China suspended military communication with the U.S. to protest her visit to Taiwan, which Beijing considers its territory and may forcefully annex.

China's military maneuvers are meant to demoralize Taiwanese personnel and wear down its equipment. Despite that, the island's voters support de-facto independence, and the defense budget has been increased to buy new equipment from its main ally, the U.S., and to produce submarines locally.