China launches military drills around Taiwan

In recent years, China has increased military activity around Taiwan, sending in planes and other military aircraft, while its submarines maintain a nearly constant presence in the island’s waterways.

Beijing has not ruled out using force to send the democratically-run area under its power.

Taiwan and the United States had warned China against acting in response to President Lai Ching-te’s speech last week during the region’s National Day celebrations.

Lai, who took office in May, has been more vocal than his father Tsai Ing-wen in defending Taiwan’s independence, angering the Chinese authorities, which calls him a” dissident”.

In his discourse on Thursday, Lai vowed to “resist conquest” of the island, and insisted Beijing and Taipei were” not inferior to each other”.

Beijing said on Monday that its training were a” stern reminder to the separatist works of” Taiwan Independence” forces.

It is a reasonable and necessary procedure to protect national unity and state sovereignty, Li said.

Lai urged Beijing to use its control to stop wars in the Middle East and Ukraine in his discourse, invoking hope for” sane and peaceful dialogue and markets” with China.

While Taiwan has its own state, martial and money, it has never declared official independence from mainland China.

Beijing has attempted to oust Taipei from global audiences, censoring it from foreign communities, and poaching its political allies.