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Chinese fighter jets around Taiwan (photo from August 2022)
Photo: Gong Yulong/AP
Because of an unspecified "provocation" by Taiwan and the United States, the Chinese military said it carried out an "attack exercise" in the sea and airspace around Taiwan.
The Eastern Task Force of China's self-proclaimed People's Liberation Army said it had been conducting "combat readiness patrols and joint firearms exercises" in the area around Taiwan.
The background is "secret agreements and provocations" between Taiwan and its protecting power, the United States.
It would take "all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.
The Chinese leadership regards Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and threatens to conquer it.
Tensions had escalated in recent months after the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Taipei reports activity several times a week
Taiwan's Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that eight Chinese planes and three ships had been observed around the island republic.
Taiwan usually reports similar activities several times a week.
Most recently, there had been muscle flexing between the major powers.
Russia and China held naval maneuvers off Japan and Taiwan before Christmas.
The US launched nuclear-capable bombers and state-of-the-art stealth aircraft for an exercise near the Korean peninsula.
hba/dpa/Reuters