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's military has called a British warship's recent passage through the Taiwan Strait a disruptive act of "intentional provocation" that "undermines peace and stability". The British Royal Navy says HMS Spey's patrol on Wednesday was part of a long-planned deployment and was in accordance with international law.