China launches military exercise around Taiwan

China has begun a major military exercise around Taiwan, which the military in Beijing called a "serious warning" to the "separatist" forces of the island.

Ships and aircraft approached from several directions. The state broadcaster CCTV published a map showing six large red areas around Taiwan where the exercises were taking place.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence called the Chinese exercise an "irrational provocation," stating that its own forces had been deployed to "take concrete measures to uphold freedom and democracy."

There had already been reports in recent days that China might be holding a manoeuvre in response to a speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te October 10, Taiwan's national day.

In his speech, Lai said that he would vow to resist any moves towards annexation or encroachment by Beijing.

"The Republic of China [formal name of Taiwan] and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other," Lai told a crowd attending the ceremony held on a square outside the presidential office in Taipei.

"On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People's Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan," Lai said.

The United States expressed concern regarding the military drills and called on Beijing to "act with restraint and to avoid any further actions that may undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region."

US Department of State Matthew Miller said China's "response with military provocations to a routine annual speech is unwarranted and risks escalation," adding that Washington would "continue to monitor" Beijing's activities and "coordinate with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns."

China regards Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and has repeatedly threatened to invade it in the past. It has warned other countries, notably the US, to stop supporting Taiwan, regarding this as interference in China's domestic affairs.

Democratic Taiwan, with around 24 million inhabitants, has had an independent government since 1949. Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have risen since elections that installed Lai Ching-te as president.

In May, shortly after Lai's inauguration, China's People's Liberation Army launched another major military exercise around Taiwan.

Lai's independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the presidential election in January - which was a setback for Beijing. The ruling Communist Party in Beijing accuses the DPP of separatism.

In addition to regular military exercises, Chinese fighter jets fly almost daily into Taiwan's air defence zone, usually prompting a response from Taiwan's Air Force.