China's armed forces conducted another round of exercises near Taiwan last week to boost cooperative combat operations. The People's Liberation Army announced on Monday after Taiwan reported an increase in inactivity.

Taiwan has complained about frequent Chinese military activity in its vicinity for the past two years, primarily in the southern and southwestern portions of the island's air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan's air force scrambled planes on Friday to scare away 18 Chinese aircraft that had invaded its air defense zone. The air force reported additional incursions on Saturday and Sunday, albeit with fewer aircraft.

The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command stated that naval and air force forces conducted drills east and southwest of Taiwan from Friday to Sunday to "further test and improved the joint combat capability of multiple services and arms." It did not expand.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense, China has deployed bombers, fighters, and anti-submarine planes.

The Chinese aircraft had not been flying in Taiwan's air space but instead in the ADIZ, a larger area Taiwan monitors and patrols that gives it more time to respond to any threats.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Taiwan has increased its vigilance, apprehensive of a similar move by China, although the administration in Taipei has seen no indications of this happening.

Monday before parliament, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu stated that China continued to represent a threat.

However, we have the resolve to defend our homeland, he remarked.

Japan claimed last week that eight Chinese military vessels, including an aircraft carrier, transited between islands in the southern Okinawa chain, northeast of Taiwan.

Last week, Taiwan also conducted planned missile and other exercises near its southern and southeastern coasts.

China has never abandoned using force to subjugate democratically governed Taiwan, and the Taiwan Strait remains a potential hotspot for armed conflict.

Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims, stating that only the island's 23 million inhabitants can choose Taiwan's future.