Taiwan said Thursday it detected 16 Chinese warships in waters around the island, one of the highest numbers this year, as Beijing intensifies military pressure on Taipei.The defence ministry's tally of Chinese warships on Thursday was the highest since May 25,

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 military exercises.

Taiwan said Wednesday it had detected 53 Chinese military aircraft and 19 ships near the island in the past 24 hours, as Beijing holds its biggest maritime mobilisation in years.Taipei said China is currently deploying around 90 ships along the so-called first island chain -- linking Okinawa,