56 Chinese aircraft fly into Taiwan's airspace

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Taiwan's Defense Ministry said 56 Chinese warplanes flew into its air defense identifications zone on Monday.

Fifty-two aircraft flew into the area during the day, followed by four more at night -- the highest total in a single day since Taiwan began publicly reporting incidents involving planes entering the ADIZ.

In a statement, the ministry said that the aircraft that flew into the airspace during the day included 34 J-16 fighter jets, 12 H-6 bombers, two SU-30 fighters, two Y-8 anti/submarine warfare planes and two KJ-500 airborne early warning and control planes.

Radio warnings were issued telling the aircraft to "turn around and leave immediately" and air defense missile systems were deployed to monitor the activity, the ministry said.

Since the beginning of October, 145 Chinese warplanes have flown into the ADIZ, according to defense ministry data.

On Sunday, the United States urged China to stop the "provocative military activity" near Taiwan.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the U.S. remarks "irresponsible" on Monday.

"In recent times, the United States has continued its negative actions in selling weapons to Taiwan and boosting its official military ties between the United States and Taiwan," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. "These provocative actions have damaged Sino-U.S. relations and damaged regional peace and stability. China firmly opposes this and takes necessary countermeasures."