The sky is ''burning''; 45 planes deployed

This year, it is the highest number of Chinese aircraft seen in a 24-hour period over Taiwan, which Beijing claims is part of China.

Six Chinese ships were spotted around Taiwan during the day.

Of the 45 planes, 26 crossed the "centerline of the Taiwan Strait," the ministry said in a statement.

Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing says is a "dangerous separatist", is due to take office in a few days, on May 20.