China has announced it will hold military drills around Taiwan simulating the seizure and blockade of the island's key areas, as a warning against "separatist forces".
The army, navy, air force and rocket force would be dispatched for the drills scheduled for Tuesday, which include live-fire exercises, the Chinese military said.
Codenamed "Justice Mission 2025", the drills come days after the US announced the sale of one of its largest weapons packages to Taiwan worth $11bn (£8.2bn). That move drew sharp protest from Beijing which in turn sanctioned US defence firms.
Taiwan's push to ramp up its defence this year has also angered Beijing, which claims the self-ruled island as its territory.
Taiwan's presidential office has criticised the upcoming Chinese drills, calling them a challenge to international norms.
