China's airforce conducted "strike drills" in the sea and airspace around Taiwan on Saturday and Sunday in response to what the military called provocation from the island and from the United States.

The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command said it had conducted joint combat readiness patrol and drills around Taiwan.

"The troops will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," it announced in a statement.

Taiwan authorities on Monday said 71 aircraft, including fighter jets and drones entered the island’s air defence identification zone over a 24-hour period, while 43 of the aircraft were said to have crossed the Taiwan Strait’s so-called median line. This would make the drills the largest by Beijing to date. (Agencies)