Taiwan’s Defense Ministry says a large Chinese military force has been detected near island

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China’s secretive military appears to be up to something around Taiwan, but it’s unclear whether it’s a formal military drill. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that it has detected a dozen Chinese naval ships and 47 military planes in the past 24 hours, but no live-fire activity as in previous drills. Taiwan’s military has been bracing for possible exercises by China in response to a recent overseas trip by Taiwan’s president that included Hawaii and Guam, an American territory. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes the self-governing island having official interactions with the United States and other countries.