Taiwan Warns of Escalation , After China Sends Over , 100 Warplanes Toward Island.<br />Taiwan's defense ministry said that China's <br />military had deployed 103 warplanes <br />towards Taiwan over a 24-hour period.<br />NBC reports that the planes, which turned back <br />before reaching Taiwan, were detected between <br />6 a.m. on September 17 and 6 a.m. on September 18. .<br />Over the same period of time, <br />nine naval vessels were also detected, <br />according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry.<br />The Defense Ministry said that 40 of the planes <br />crossed over the symbolic halfway point <br />between Taiwan and mainland China.<br />Tensions have been rising<br />amid China's increasingly large <br />military drills around Taiwan. .<br />The United States is Taiwan's main supplier <br />of arms and stands opposed to China's <br />push to change Taiwan's status by force.<br />According to Taiwan, the latest Chinese <br />military action, which is labeled as <br />"harassment," could lead to an escalation. .<br />We urge the Beijing authorities <br />to bear responsibility and <br />immediately stop such kind <br />of destructive military activities, Taiwan Defense Ministry, via NBC.<br />Last week, China deployed a flotilla of ships, <br />including the aircraft carrier Shandong, <br />into the waters near Taiwan.<br />NBC reports that the recent actions have been <br />perceived as an attempt to sway an upcoming <br />Taiwanese presidential election in January.
