The drills underscore China’s persistent efforts to pressure new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. They were named “Joint Sword-2024B,” following on from the “2024A” exercises held right after his inauguration in May.

Good morning. China has just started military drills around Taiwan, which it says should serve as a "warning" to those pursuing independence for the democratically self-ruled island.

Beijing begins manoeuvres to north, south and east of island, days after President Lai made first National Day speech.

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The Chinese military said the exercises, which will simulate strikes on land and at sea, would serve as “a stern warning” to “Taiwan independence forces.”

China's military started a new round of war games near Taiwan on Monday, saying it was a warning to the "separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces". Taiwan's defence ministry expressed its strong condemnation of China's "irrational and provocative act".

The drills were seen as a response to a speech by President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan, who said last week that China had “no right to represent” the island.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, detests its president Lai Ching-te as a "separatist", and the Chinese military routinely operates around the island. Last week at his keynote national day speech,