CHINA has launched a fresh round of army, navy and rocket force exercises encircling Taiwan, Xi Jingping's military has announced.
Beijing described the concerning movements, which included 19 warships and 50 aircraft, as a “stern warning” and a “powerful deterrent against Taiwanese independence”.
The Chinese military even attacked Taiwanese President Lai Ching-Te by labelling him a “parasite”.
Taiwan announced today that it has detected at least 19 Chinese warships as well as the large Shandong aircraft carrier patrolling near to its self-governing island.
It marks the biggest number of enemy vessels seen in a 24-hour period since last May.
They involved “sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes”, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman of the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command.
Beijing's armed forces “close in on Taiwan Island from multiple directions”, he said.
In a brave response, Taiwan sent out its own aircraft and ships.
They also deployed land-based missile systems as they accused Beijing of being the world's “biggest troublemaker”.
