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The Chinese military recently conducted joint combat readiness exercises, patrols and combat training in the sea and airspace around Taiwan.

This was stated in a statement by the Eastern Command of the People's Liberation Army, quoted by Reuters.

The drills were organized in response to "collusion and provocation" by the United States and Taiwan, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said.

A source in Taiwan confirmed that several Chinese fighter jets crossed the Taiwan Strait in its northern part.

He clarified that the planes did not enter the island nation's airspace.

Yesterday, Republican Rick Scott, a senior US senator, arrived in Taiwan for a meeting with the country's President Tsai Ing-wen.

China issued sharp criticism of the US and NATO days before a meeting of G20 foreign ministers

The US side's move seriously violates the "one China" principle, causes significant damage to the political foundation of Sino-US relations, seriously undermines ties between the two countries, and exacerbates tensions in the Taiwan Strait region, Wu stressed in response to a reporter's question about the visit to the senator.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army is ready for war at any time and will take all necessary measures to resolutely thwart foreign interference and separatist attempts at "Taiwan independence", protecting its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he assured.

The US and China are at loggerheads over a range of issues, including Taiwan, the South China Sea, trade tariffs and China's refusal to openly criticize Russian leader Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is expected to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi tomorrow at the G20 meeting in Bali.

Taiwan has been governed by a local administration since 1949. However, Beijing considers the island its province, a position supported by most countries, including Russia.

For several decades, the United States has been leading the so-called

a policy of strategic ambiguity towards Taiwan, which consists of diplomatically recognizing only China, but at the same time providing Taiwan with the necessary military means to defend itself in the event of an invasion, without, however, explicitly involving the US in a possible conflict.

combat readiness