TAIPEI: China sent dozens of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, toward Taiwan, the island's Defense Ministry said on Saturday, days before Taipei plans to hold military exercises aimed at defending itself against a possible invasion.

Taiwan is due to hold its annual Han Kuang exercise next week, during which its military will hold combat readiness drills for preventing an invasion. It will also conduct the annual Wan'an exercises aimed at preparing civilians for natural disasters and practicing evacuations in case of an air raid.