China deployed fighter jets and warships to encircle Taiwan on Monday.
Beijing said were aimed at sending a “stern warning” to “separatist” forces on the self-ruled island.
The drills, dubbed Joint Sword-2024B, are testing troops’ “joint operations capabilities” according to Captain Li Xi, spokesman for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command.
They are taking place in “areas to the north, south, and east of Taiwan Island”, he said.
The drills are “focusing on subjects of sea-air combat-readiness patrol, the blockade on key ports and areas”, Li said. They also practiced an “assault on maritime and ground targets”.
Fighter jets and warships had been deployed, Chinese state media said.
Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control and Monday’s drills represent its fourth round of large-scale war games in the past two years.
The United States said China’s actions were “unwarranted” and risk “escalation” as it called on Beijing to act with restraint.
