• China conducts simulated precision strikes on Taiwanese targets
• Taiwan's defense ministry said that it observed multiple air force sorties and continues to monitor Beijing's missile forces
• The simulated strikes came a day after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a short trip to the United States

The Chinese military conducted simulated precision strikes against Taiwan for the second day around the island nation on Sunday, prompting a defensive response from the latter's defense ministry.

Taiwanese officials said they detected multiple air force sorties near the island nation, adding that they were still monitoring Beijing's missile forces. China, on the other hand, continues to claim that Taiwan is part of its territory.

China Conducts Simulated Precision Strikes on Taiwan

The recent simulated strikes mark the second day of a three-day military exercise routine that started on Saturday. It came after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen returned from the United States on a short trip to meet with other leaders.

Chinese state media reported that the military was continuing its combat readiness patrols and drills around the self-governed island nation of Taiwan. Reports said that officials deployed multiple types of units to conduct simulated joint precision strikes on key targets on the island and surrounding areas, as per Reuters.

Furthermore, the Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese military released a short animation of the simulated attacks on its WeChat account. Missiles could be seen from the footage fired from land, sea, and air and traveling toward Taiwan. Two of the projectiles exploded into flames as they struck their targets.

One source familiar with the region's security situation said that Beijing had been continuously conducting similar air and sea attacks. Chinese officials allegedly focused on what they called "foreign military targets" located in the waters near the southwestern coast of the island nation.

In a statement, the source, who spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to speak to the media, said that Taiwan was not China's only target. They also called the strikes "very provocative."

Read Also: US, South Korea, Japan Express Concern Over North Korea's Cyber Activities 

Taiwan's Independence on the Global Stage

On Sunday, Taiwan's defense ministry reported monitoring 11 Chinese warships and 70 aircraft around its territory. Authorities said they responded to the military drills in a "calm and composed manner." They added that the warplanes included fighter jets and bombers, according to Aljazeera.

Taiwan's defense ministry added that the island nation's joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system worked to monitor China's movements. It said the region's air defense forces remained on high alert amid Beijing's simulated precision strikes.

On the other hand, Chinese officials have described the simulations, known as United Sharp Sword, as a warning to separatist forces supporting Taiwan's independence. In response, Taipei condemned Beijing's use of the Taiwanese president's US visit to carry out military exercises that they argued have destabilized the region's peace and security.

China has never ruled out the use of aggressive force in retaking control of the island nation as it failed to use diplomatic means to rule over Taiwan. Beijing also reacted similarly when then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the self-governed island nation in August last year. CNN said China launched a series of military drills around the island nation.

Related Article: Ukraine War Leaked Classified Documents: Theories and More