TAIPEI, April 9 (AFP) - Taiwan’s defence ministry on Sunday said that it had detected nine Chinese warships and 58 aircraft around the island, as China continued military drills for the second day.

Taiwan said it was monitoring Chinese military “movements through joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system", adding the warplanes detected until 12 pm local time included a mix of fighter jets and bombers.

This comes amid China launching three days of military drills intended to intimidate self-ruled Taiwan after a US visit by Taipei’s President Tsai Ing-wen angered Beijing.