China on Sunday simulated strikes on “key targets” in Taiwan, the second day of “total encirclement” drills planned until Monday, which Beijing presented as a “serious warning” to the island’s authorities after its president met a senior US official, according to data . for AFP.

China is conducting large-scale military maneuvers in the waters around TaiwanPhoto: Hector RETAMAL / AFP / Profimedia

The operation, dubbed United Sword, was strongly condemned by Taiwan, while the United States called on Beijing to exercise “restraint” and keep communication channels “open.”

The maneuvers were launched after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California on Wednesday, to which Beijing vowed to respond with “decisive and vigorous” measures.

They aim to establish China’s ability to “take control of the sea, airspace and intelligence (…) to create a complete deterrence and encirclement” of Taiwan, Chinese state television said on Saturday.

On Sunday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense detected nine Chinese warships and 58 aircraft around the island, after spotting the same number of ships and 71 aircraft a day earlier.

The agency said it was monitoring Chinese military movements through a “joint intelligence and reconnaissance system,” adding that fighter jets and bombers were among the aircraft spotted.

Also on Sunday, the Chinese military simulated “precision strikes” on “key targets on the island of Taiwan and surrounding waters,” involving dozens of aircraft and ground troops, state television reported.

Beijing said ships, fighter jets, air tankers and interdiction equipment were being mobilized in maneuvers expected to last until Monday.

“I’m a bit concerned, I’d be lying if I told you otherwise,” Donald Ho, 73, told AFP on Sunday. “If there is a war, both sides will suffer greatly.”

China considers Taiwan (population 23 million) a province it has yet to reunite with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

The maneuvers “serve as a serious warning against the clash between separatist forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and external forces, as well as their provocative activities,” Chinese military spokesman Shi Yi warned.