71 jets and 90 vessels of the PLA had reportedly encroached on Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese defense ministry.  

"71 PLA aircraft and 9 vessels were detected by 16:00 on April 8th. 45 of the detected aircraft had crossed the northern, central, and southern median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered our southwest ADIZ [air defense identification zone]," the defense ministry tweeted.

Read more: China launches 3-day-long drills in Taiwan Strait

Earlier today, China launched military drills around Taiwan in a stern warning to the Taiwanese government following a meeting between the island's leader and the US House speaker.

Read more: China condemns US-Taiwan meeting, ready for 'strong measures'

Operation United Sharp Sword is set to last for three days, running until Monday, Chinese media reported. It will include rehearsals on an encirclement of the Island off the coast of China, the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command revealed.

Last Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning relayed Beijing's opposition to the official contacts between the US and Taiwan as she called on the US to halt developments with Taiwan and reiterated China's willingness to take "strong and resolute measures" to defend the country's sovereignty.

Read more: Taiwan has to choose between 'peace and war': Ex-President

Yesterday, Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said on Friday at the end of a landmark visit to China that the island will in the future have to choose between "peace and war," condemning Taiwan’s current leadership.

Additionally, he expressed hope that his visit to China will contribute to "Taiwan's future of real peace and safety." 

Despite the tension between #China and #Taiwan, the latter still prefers China over the #US when it comes to trading. pic.twitter.com/44fdt0sO4a

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 8, 2022

Read more: China to fight resolutely 'Taiwan independence' in 2023

Back in early March, a government report at the opening of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress stressed that China will firmly fight against "Taiwan’s independence" and promote reunification of the island with the homeland. 

The report pointed out that the Chinese government will "steadfastly implement the [Chinese Commuist] Party's overall strategy to resolve the Taiwan issue in the new era, firmly uphold the one-China principle and abide by the 1992 consensus," as per Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua.