China sends dozens of warplanes and ships near Taiwan to show its anger over island’s new leaders

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China has sent dozens of warplanes and navy vessels off Taiwan’s coast on the second day of a large exercise launched to show its anger over the island’s inauguration of new leaders who refuse to accept Beijing’s insistence that Taiwan is part of China. Taiwan’s defense ministry said it tracked 49 Chinese warplanes and 19 navy vessels as well as coast guard vessels on Friday. Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, visited a marine base on Thursday and said the island would “continue to maintain the values of freedom and democracy.” A Beijing official said Lai has “challenged the one-China principle,” which asserts that Taiwan is part of China.