On Sunday, December 25, China's armed forces conducted naval and air exercises near Taiwan.

Their holding was motivated by an unspecified "provocation" by Taiwan and the United States.

This was reported by Reuters with reference to the statement of the command of the Eastern Theater of Operations of the People's Liberation Army of China.

The statement referred to "joint combat readiness patrols and joint fire strike exercises" around Taiwan, but did not specify the exact location of the drills.

"This is a decisive response to the current escalation of conspiracies and provocations by the United States and Taiwan," Chinese military spokesmen emphasized, without giving details.

China's armed forces also expressed readiness to take all necessary measures "to resolutely protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

China claims the self-ruled island of Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly demonstrated military activity over the past three years to force Taipei to accept Chinese sovereignty.

Earlier in the day, Chinese authorities condemned the United States for a new defense authorization law that increases military aid to Taiwan.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense declined to comment to the agency.

It will be recalled that it was previously reported that Russia and China are conducting joint naval exercises that will last until the end of 2022.

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