China Says Military Exercise Near Taiwan Punishes 'Separatism'

Chinese military exercises near Taiwan on Monday were punishment for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's continued promotion of "separatism," according to a stern statement out of Beijing, as Taiwan hit back by calling China a troublemaker.

China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring democratically governed Taiwan under its control, has stepped up military and political pressure against the island in recent years.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said China carried out "joint combat readiness patrols" — one in the morning and one in the afternoon — sending 54 Chinese warplanes, including J-10 jets and drones, to areas near Taiwan.

It said the Chinese aircraft flew in airspace to the north, west, southwest, and east of Taiwan and that Taiwanese air and naval forces were dispatched to keep watch.

Among them, 42 planes crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line, an unofficial buffer between the two sides, the ministry said.

If the Lai administration "dares to provoke and play with fire, it will only bring about its own destruction," a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in the statement.

Taiwan routinely reports such military activity by China, but China's government rarely offers comment.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said Beijing continued to threaten the island militarily, raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and destabilizing regional peace and stability.

The Chinese Communist Party is a "troublemaker" in every sense of the word, the council said, urging allies to stop China's military expansion.

Taiwan's security officials have said China was trying to normalize drills near Taiwan, carrying out such patrols near the island every seven-10 days on average.

Lai last week said China deepened its influence campaigns and infiltration against the island and pledged measures to tackle Beijing's efforts to "absorb" Taiwan.

China views Taiwan as its territory, a claim rejected by the government in Taipei.

Lai has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but has been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.