TAIPEI, Aug 21 —Taiwan’s defence ministry said 12 Chinese aircraft and five Chinese ships were detected operating around Taiwan today, including five aircraft that crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, as Beijing continued military activities near the island.

China has been carrying out drills near Taiwan, which it claims as Chinese territory despite strong objections from the government in Taipei, since earlier this month following a visit to the island by US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi. — Reuters