China launched military maneuvers around Taiwan on Saturday as a “stern warning,” state media said, after Beijing protested the United States’ detention of the island’s vice president, William Lai, AFP reported.

“The Eastern Command of the People’s Liberation Army of China on Saturday launched joint air and sea patrols and naval and air force military exercises around the island of Taiwan,” aimed at testing the ability of Chinese ships and aircraft to “seize control of the air and sea.” spaces,” the official news agency New China writes with reference to the military.

Lai, the favorite in Taiwan’s next presidential election in January, returned on Friday from the United States, where he made stops on his way to and from Paraguay, although he made speeches while in the United States.

Taiwan’s defense ministry strongly condemned Chinese military drills near the island, saying it would send adequate forces to respond and assured it had the ability, determination and confidence to safeguard national security, Reuters reported.

“The start of military exercises this time not only does not contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but also highlights (China’s) militaristic mentality,” the Taipei ministry said in a statement.

China considers the democratically governed Taiwan to be its territory, despite strong objections from the government in Taipei.