Military exercises near Taiwan aimed at combating ‘arrogance’ of separatists, says China

Increased frequency of Chinese drills has raised the risk of events getting out of hand', the island's defence minister said

China's government has said that recent drills near Taiwan were aimed at combating the arrogance" of separatist forces, after Taipei reported a rise in military activity in recent weeks, including exercises on land facing the island.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory - a claim Taipei rejects - has said this month that it had observed dozens of fighters, drones, bombers and other aircraft, as well as warships and the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, operating nearby.