China flew a record number of fighter jets around Taiwan during a large-scale military exercise, the island’s Defence Ministry said on Tuesday. Over a 25-hour period beginning early Monday, 153 military aircraft were registered, the ministry said. Additionally, 14 ships of the People’s Liberation Army and 12 vessels believed to be from the Chinese coastguard were recorded in the waters around Taiwan. Beijing called the exercise a “serious warning” to the “separatist” forces of the island, saying that the army was practising blocking ports and other key areas and to gain “comprehensive control….