Beijing has warned Taiwan it would bring about "its own destruction" as China sent more than 50 warplanes in a military exercise to areas surrounding the self-governed island on Monday.
The military drill was "punishment" for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's continued promotion of "separatism", a spokesperson from China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) said.
The statement follows an escalation in Beijing’s military activities around Taiwan, which China views as its territory.
Taiwanese air and naval forces were dispatched to keep watch after 54 Chinese military planes and drones flew near the island on Monday, Taiwan's defence ministry said.
If the Lai administration "dares to provoke and play with fire, it will only bring about its own destruction," a TAO spokesperson said.
Taiwan's defence ministry said China had carried out two patrols with 42 planes crossing the Taiwan Strait median line, which acts as the unofficial buffer between the two sides.
Taiwan's security officials have said China was trying to normalise drills near Taiwan, carrying out such patrols near the island every 7-10 days on average, but China's government rarely comments.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said Beijing had continued to threaten the island militarily, raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and destabilising regional peace and stability.
The council labelled the Chinese Communist Party as a "troublemaker", and urged ally countries to stop China's military expansion.
President Lai said last week China had deepened its influence campaigns and infiltration against the island, pledging measures to tackle Beijing's efforts to "absorb" Taiwan.
Taiwan's National Immigration Agency revoked a Chinese influencer's visa last week for posting videos supporting the idea of China taking the island by force, local media reported.
It was reported the influencer, identified by authorities with her surname Liu but known online as 'Yaya', had relocated from mainland China to Taiwan after marrying a Taiwanese man.
ABC/Reuters
