China sharply increased military activity near Taiwan this week. Beijing sent dozens of warplanes across the median line of the Taiwan Strait just days after a British warship passed through the sensitive waterway.

China has sent 74 warplanes toward Taiwan between late Thursday and early Friday, 61 of which crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait unofficially dividing the sides.

China insists democratic, self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.