Pentagon slams 'destabilizing' Chinese war games around Taiwan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Monday strongly criticized Chinese military war games around Taiwan, calling them destabilizing.

"This military pressure operation is irresponsible, disproportionate, and destabilizing," Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

The Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command said the "Joint Sword-2024B" drills took place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan.

Shortly after announcing their completion, China's defense ministry on Monday issued a warning that the drills were not a repeat of the earlier "Joint Sword-2024A" war games held in May, but an increase in pressure against Taiwan independence, and said more could follow.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chris Reese)