Military drills around Taiwan

CHINA sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for large-scale drills yesterday that Beijing said were aimed at practicing for "preci-sion strikes" and a blockade of the self-ruled island.

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Taiwan dispatched its aircraft and ships, and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the exercises that it termed as "irresponsible" and the world's "biggest troublemaker".

The drills came after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Japan on Sunday that the US would ensure "deterrence" across the Taiwan Strait, and called on Beijing to talk.

China opposes US support for Taiwan, which Beijing insists is part of its territory, and has increased its use of force to bring it under its control.

Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets in areas near Taiwan's air defence zone in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects.

China deployed 71 warships around Taiwan, including the Shandong aircraft carrier group, along with 71 aircraft and four coast guard vessels in the sea, Taiwan's defence ministry said.