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,

Taiwan says Chinese has deployed its largest naval fleet in nearly three decades to the waters around the island, describing the development as “very alarming”.

The size and scale of a recent Chinese military deployment is “unheard of,” says a diplomat in the region. Beijing, which views Taiwan as its own territory, says it is defending its sovereignty.