China's Military Conducts Joint Drills Surrounding Taiwan Amid Tensions

China's military has initiated joint drills around Taiwan, extending from Thursday to Friday, in response to Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te's call for cessation of threats. The exercises involve multiple military branches and serve as a warning against Taiwan's independence forces and external provocations.

China's military started joint drills surrounding Taiwan early Thursday that are set to last until Friday, just days after new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te took office and called on Beijing to cease its threats.

The Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said it had started joint military drills, involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force, in areas around Taiwan at 7:45 a.m. (2345 GMT). The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait, the north, south and east of Taiwan, as well as areas around the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin, the command said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from Taiwan's government. The drills focus on joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, precision strikes on key targets, and integrated operations inside and outside the island chain to test the "joint real combat capabilities" of the forces, China's military said.

"This is also a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a stern warning against the interference and provocation by external forces," the command added. China detests Lai, saying he is a "separatist", and it has denounced his inauguration speech. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this week called Lai "disgraceful".