WORLD War Three fears are mounting after China sent another 19 fighter jets into Taiwan airspace.

       Taiwan's air force scrambled on Thursday to warn off the Chinese aircraft which entered its air defence zone, Taiwan's defence ministry said.

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       The Chinese aircraft included 12 J-16 fighters and two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers Credit: Getty 2

       A formation of military H-6K bombers fly over Beijing Credit: AFP

       It marks the latest uptick in tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

       The Chinese aircraft included 12 J-16 fighters and two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, the ministry said.

       It comes just days after China flew 10 fighter jets into Taiwan airspace after sending planes over 15 times in two weeks.

       Beijing has sent different aircrafts including fighter jets, spotter planes and bombers into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) every day this month, except for September 2.

       China has been ramping up its gray zone tactics for the past year by routinely sending aircraft into the zone.

       Chinese aircrafts have been tracked in Taiwan's airspace 155 times so far this year, according to the latest data.

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       China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has long threatened to use force to bring it under its control.

       It comes after Taiwan staged chilling biowarfare defence drills amid fears China is creating weaponised coronaviruses in preparation for World War Three.

       Troops began this week by simulating a biological and chemical attack by Beijing as well as preventing a decapitation strike against their president.

       Drills are taking place throughout Taiwan as well as on the Taiwan Straits as part of its largest annual military exercise, and involve both standing and select reserve forces.

       Taiwan recently proposed extra defence spending of $8.69 billion over the next five years - including on new missiles - as it warned of an urgent need to upgrade weapons in the face of a "severe threat" from China.

       Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has made modernising the armed forces a priority, especially as Beijing ramps up its military and diplomatic pressure against the island it claims as "sacred" Chinese territory.

       'SEVERE THREAT'

       "The Chinese Communists have continued to invest heavily in national defence budgets, its military strength has grown rapidly, and it has frequently dispatched aircraft and ships to invade and harass our seas and airspace," Taiwan's Defence Ministry said.

       "In the face of severe threats from the enemy, the nation's military is actively engaged in military building and preparation work, and it is urgent to obtain mature and rapid mass production weapons and equipment in a short period of time."

       Deputy Defence Minister Wang Shin-lung said the new arms would all be made domestically - although the United States will probably remain an important parts and technology provider.

       Taiwan has been keen to demonstrate it can defend itself, especially amid questions about whether the United States would come to its aid if China attacked.

       The weapons Taiwan aims to buy include cruise missiles and warships, the ministry said.

       Taiwan has already unveiled a class of highly agile stealth warships, which it refers to as an "aircraft carrier killer", and it's also developing its own submarines.

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