Taiwan on Monday strongly condemned China for launching large-scale military drills around the island nation and appealed to all nations to take note of Beijing's ''authoritarian and expansionist'' behaviour.
Taiwan has sought to join hands with India and other partners to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, and strengthen the global supply chain in line with the rules-based international order.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has said that 20 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan from 6 am (local time) on Wednesday to 6 am (local time) on Thursday.
In a landmark achievement, India and Taiwan have implemented the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for organic products.
The aircraft dispatched by the Chinese military were spotted starting at 8:15 am and included Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, Shaanxi Y-8 transport aircraft, and various types of unmanned aerial vehicles, the MND said, as per Taiwan News.
"We will work with the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification," dpa news agency quoted a white paper on the Taiwan issue published by the Chinese government as saying.
The drill was designed to simulate Taiwan's defence against an attack by China's People's Liberation Army.
"China has used the drills and its military playbook to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan," RT quoted Wu as saying during a press conference.
In announcing the manoeuvres to the north, south-west and east of self-ruled island on August 2, China had originally promised their conclusion on Sunday. However, no new formal end date has been announced.
Taiwan said it responded to the Chinese drills, now in their fourth day, by deploying aircraft and ships on Sunday, the BBC reported.
