China sends more than 50 war planes near Taiwan as ‘punishment’ to separatism

Beijing has warned Taiwan it would bring about “its own destruction” as China sent more than 50 warplanes in a military exercise to areas surrounding the self-governed island on Monday. The military drill was “punishment” for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s continued promotion of “separatism”, a spokesperson from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) said. The statement follows an escalation in Beijing's military activities around Taiwan, which China views as its territory. Taiwanese air and naval forces were dispatched to keep watch after 54 Chinese military planes and drones flew near the island on Monday, Taiwan’s defence ministry said. If the Lai…