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The statement said the army, navy, air force and the country’s rocket force will take part in the drills.

According to the statement, the exercises should be seen as “a stern warning to Taiwan independence separatists.”

The announcement was swiftly condemned by Taipei. A spokesperson for President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan views the upcoming drills as “military intimidation” and believes they are “contrary to the international order.” Taiwan’s military said it has deployed “appropriate forces” in response.

The Beijing government considers Taiwan part of China, but in practice Taiwan has been self-governed as a separate entity since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

The Taiwan issue is a highly sensitive foreign policy matter for China.

Meanwhile, relations between China and Japan have recently deteriorated following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about possible Japanese military intervention in the event of a Chinese attack.

China’s relations with the United States are also tense over Taiwan. In mid-December, the US government approved a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan worth about $100 billion.

China reacted strongly, urging the United States to immediately halt “dangerous measures” aimed at arming Taiwan.