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 sent the most warplanes toward Taiwan since October, a move that follows US lawmakers visiting a top military figure and both the UK and Japan sailing warships through the strait separating the two sides.

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