Nineteen Chinese aircraft have entered Taiwan's airspace - ramping up tensions in the region in the wake of the AUKUS submarine pact.
Taipei said 14 fighters - including 12 J-16s and two J-11s - entered its air defence identification zone on Thursday morning.
Accompanying the fighters were two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, one Y-8 plane equipped with 'electronic warfare' equipment, and two Y-8 anti-submarine planes, the country's defence ministry said.
Fighter jets were scrambled to turn the aircraft back while radio warnings were also broadcast and missile defence systems activated to monitor the situation.
China frequently flies such missions, but they have taken on new significance in the wake of the AUKUS deal.
Taiwan is a close ally of the US, meaning the UK and Australia could now be dragged into any future conflict with China because of the defence pact.
China has flown 19 aircraft into Taiwan's air space, including 14 fighters and two nuclear-capable bombers in one of the largest sorties in months
Two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers took part in the sortie, flying south of Taiwan island before turning around and heading back to China (file image)
Flight tracking data published by Taiwan showed the J-16 and J-11 fighters flew a short distance into the ADIZ before turning back.
Meanwhile the bombers, electronic warfare aircraft and anti-submarine planes completed a circuit around the southern tip of Taiwan before turning back.
The island's government has complained for a year of repeated missions by China's air force near its borders, often in the southwestern part of its air defense zone close to Taiwan-controlled Pratas Island.
China has flown aircraft into Taiwan's defence zone every day this month with the exception of September 2, defence ministry data shows.
Most missions only involve a handful of aircraft, making Thursday's sortie exceptional for its size.
Only two comparable missions have taken place in recent months, with one on September 5 that included 19 aircraft and one on June 15 that included 28.
Self-governing Taiwan,
