China holds large-scale military drills around Taiwan

China conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan on Tuesday to serve as a "severe warning" to the self-governing democratic island against separatism.

Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command, called the drills — involving air, sea, and rocket forces — a "severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence" and a meant to "safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity."

China's Coast Guard called its exercises a "law enforcement patrol" around Taiwan.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense tracked 19 Chinese navy vessels in the area, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, which entered Taiwan's defense zone.

In response, Taiwan deployed warships and activated its missile systems.

Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to bring it under control, while most Taiwanese favor their de facto independence.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, said Taipei's "stubborn persistence with the Taiwan independence stance" is "doomed to fail."