China has held military exercises near the island in response to a US delegation's visit to Taiwan.
According to the Associated Press, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Tuesday that the exercises in the Taiwan Strait area are "an important step in safeguarding national sovereignty."
However, the announcement did not provide any details about the time, participants and location of the exercises.
The statement said that the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command's "joint warfare patrol" was due to "wrong words and actions of the countries concerned on the Taiwan issue" and also the actions of those who fought for Taiwan's independence. Support
It should be noted that the United States has strong but informal relations with Taiwan and tensions are rising between the United States and China on a number of issues.
These include Hong Kong, the South China Sea, the corona virus epidemic and trade.
However, details of the US delegation's visit to Taiwan on Tuesday were not immediately available.
A statement issued by an unnamed Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman strongly condemned the visit.
"No one should underestimate the commitment of the People's Liberation Army to protect the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Chinese people," he said.China considers Taiwan its territory, which can be controlled by the military if needed.
The two countries split during the 1949 civil war, shortly after they were reunited.
However, tensions between the two countries have risen during the reign of Taiwan's pro-independence President Tsai Ying-wen.
In early October, on China's National Day, China sent 149 military aircraft to southwestern Taiwan. As a result, Taiwan had to activate its air defense system.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said this week that such tactics were used to weaken the country's defense system and demoralize it.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in Washington that visits by members of Congress to Taiwan were "relatively normal and are subject to US obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act."
The Taiwan Relations Act obliges the US government to ensure that Taiwan has the capability to defend itself and considers the threats to the island "extremely serious."
