'Stern warning': China launches war games around Taiwan to warn against independence

China launched fresh, large-scale military exercises around Taiwan and its outlying islands on Monday as part of what it called a "stern warning" against "separatist acts by Taiwan independence forces."

The drills follow a speech last week by Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, in which he reiterated long-running pledges by the self-ruled island's leaders to resist "annexation" by Beijing and refuse to see itself as part of the People’s Republic of China under Communist Party rule.

China has viewed Taiwan as a breakaway province for decades and vowed to unite it politically with Beijing.

China routinely holds military exercises aimed at pressuring Taiwan, which has its own government and military, though these exercises vary in size and intensity. Beijing held what it described as "punishment drills" after Lai was sworn in earlier this year . Warships and fighter jets were taking part in China's latest war games, called "Joint Sword-2024B," according to a statement by the Chinese National Defense Ministry .

China launches 'punishment' drills: Here's why Beijing says it holds war games around Taiwan

Successive U.S. administrations have vowed to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. U.S. State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller urged China "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."

Taiwan is likely to rise "as an issue commanding presidential attention" over the next four years, according to the Brookings Institution think tank.

Foreign policy experts at Brookings said former President Donald Trump "has consistently registered skepticism about the benefits of supporting Taiwan" while for Vice President Kamala Harris, "the available evidence suggests the likeliest scenario would be one of broad continuity from the Biden administration."

The think tank described the Biden administration's approach to Taiwan as one that included "deepening economic relations, strengthening security cooperation and elevating Taiwan’s international stature."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Stern warning': China launches war games around Taiwan to warn against independence