China conducts 'strike drills' in sea, around Taiwan's airspace

China on Sunday staged "strike drills" around Taiwan's airspace, saying it was conducted in response to the provocation from the self-governed island and the US, Al Jazeera reported.

The Chinese army's Eastern Theatre Command stated in a terse statement that it had conducted "combined combat readiness patrols and joint firepower strike drills" surrounding Taiwan. The precise location was not specified.

"This is a resolute response to the current escalation of collusion and provocation from the United States and Taiwan," it said and added that theatre forces will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as per Al Jazeera.

"The Chinese Communist's 'military intimidation' acts are obviously aimed at cowing our people and are not conducive to [China's] international image," Al Jazeera reported citing Taiwan's Defence Ministry statement. It further added that Taiwan will continue to boost its military.

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Responding to the situation, Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, said the drills on Sunday demonstrated Beijing's assault on regional peace and attempt to intimidate Taiwan's people, according to Al Jazeera.