TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan says China sent two military surveillance planes toward the island for three straight days and it dispatched patrols in response. Tensions have risen in the Taiwan Strait as the U.S. has stepped up its official engagement with the self-ruled island that China considers part of its national territory. Taiwan’s defense ministry says China sent two planes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Last week, China sent a total of 37 warplanes across the strait in a warning as a high-level U.S. official visited the island. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has remained defiant, visiting a military base on Tuesday to express support.
