Taipei [Taiwan], April 1 (ANI): Taiwan detected 19 Chinese vessels operating around its territory as of Tuesday 6am (local time), Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said in a statement.

The Chinese Navy vessels, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong were detected from March 29 and entered into our response zone on Monday.

In a post on X, the MND said, '19 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe.'

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1906875783106462063

'The PLA Navy vessels, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong were detected from March 29th and entered into our response zone yesterday, ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly,' the MND added.

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1906878523320746242

Taiwan stated that China continues to escalate threat, and is becoming a 'troublemaker' in the region.

'PRC continues to escalate military activities in the #Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region, intensifying military threats, challenging the international order and regional stability, thereby becoming the greatest 'troublemaker' in the eyes of the international community. ROC Armed Forces adhere to the principle of 'no escalation of conflict, no provocation of disputes,' responding prudently to gray-zone harassment to safeguard national sovereignty and the security of the people.'

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1906878535253606613

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1906878546766884889

The Chinese military on Tuesday said it had begun conducting joint exercises involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket force to 'close in on' Taiwan from 'multiple directions,' according to a statement posted on the Eastern Theater Command's official social media account, CNN reported.

The drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes to test joint operations capabilities of China's troops, the post said.

'It is a stern warning and forceful deterrence against 'Taiwan Independence' separatist forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity,' the People's Liberation Army said in the statement, as per CNN. (ANI)