"Stern warning": China's military holds live drills around Taiwan
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Three Chinese military helicopters fly past Pingtan island, one of mainland China's closest points from Taiwan, in Fujian province on Aug. 4, 2022, following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the self-ruled island. The latest drill marked Beijing's "sixth round of war games" since then, Reuters reports. Photo: Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images
China's military conducted live-fire military drills around Taiwan on Monday in what a Chinese official said marked "a stern warning" against 'Taiwan Independence' separatist forces and external interference."
The big picture: The drills involving the Chinese Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops came less than two weeks after the Trump administration announced plans for a $11.1 billion weapons deal with Taipei, which prompted Beijing to impose sanctions on Boeing and other U.S. firms.
State of play: The Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command launched the drills around the democratically run island it claims is its territory in an operation it said was code-named "Justice Mission 2025."
- Taiwan's Defense Ministry condemned the move and said in statements its armed forces were on "high alert" after spotting two Chinese military aircraft and 11 ships "operating around Taiwan" around 6am local time.
- Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Col. Shi Yi said the operation was "legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity."
Go deeper: Taiwan's president offers peace with China — but says defenses must be strengthened
