China sends dozens of warplanes toward Taiwan ahead of military exercises

China sent dozens of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, toward Taiwan.
This show of force by China's military comes before Taiwan's scheduled anti-invasion exercises.
Some of the Chinese aircraft crossed the unofficial middle line dividing the Taiwan Strait.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory and opposes visits by Taiwanese officials to foreign countries.
Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war but China still asserts sovereignty over the democratic island.