Chinese vessels still operating in the waters surrounding Taiwan despite conclusion of live-fire drills
Chinese warplanes and navy ships are still in the waters around Taiwan, according to the island's defence ministry, despite the conclusion of three days of patrols and live-fire drills.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has criticised Beijing for its "irresponsible" behaviour.
Beijing said the drills were a "stern warning" to the self-governing island in response to President Tsai Ing-wen visiting the US briefly last week.
President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, causing anger in Beijing, which claims the self-governing island as its territory.
The three days of patrols and live-fire drills off the coast opposite Taiwan, then began on Saturday only a few hours after the visit, with the Chinese military saying they are meant as a serious warning against what it called ''Taiwanese separatists in collusion with external forces".
Beijing said on Monday that the drills had ended, however, Taiwan's defence ministry said eight Chinese ships remained in waters and are "still operating in the waters" around the island.
The Chinese military simulated precision strikes against Taiwan during the drills around the island.
Taiwan's defence ministry reported multiple air force sorties and that it was monitoring China's missile forces.
According to Taiwan, China flew 91 military aircraft on Monday around the island, with 54 of them crossing the Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwanese officials have continued to reiterate that they will "not escalate conflicts nor cause disputes" and would "act accordingly" in response.
"While PLA's Eastern Theater Command announced the end of the exercise today, R.O.C. Armed Forces will continue to keep a close watch on PLA's movements 24/7 and act accordingly," Taiwan's defence ministry said.
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