China's Defence Ministry broke its silence on Friday about military drills around Taiwan. The ministry said it was up China to decide if they would be held and that the military "would not be absent" from fighting against separatists forces.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry activated a centre for emergency response on Monday after reporting an increase in Chinese military activities, both on the island itself and in the East China Sea and South China Sea.

China's military has not announced any drills. Beijing considers democratically governed Taiwan to be its territory. This claim is rejected by the Taiwanese government, which claims that only Taiwan's citizens can decide on their own future.

China's Defence Ministry did not confirm or deny that drills were held in China, but instead quoted ancient Chinese tactician Sun Zi.

The ministry quoted Sun as saying that war conditions are constantly changing and unpredictable, just like water.

It added: "We decide for ourselves whether or not we want to conduct exercises, and when. This depends on our needs and the current situation in the war."

"The People's Liberation Army won't be absent, and it will not be a softie in its fight for independence and reunification."

The ministry said that any reliance on foreign forces to achieve independence - a phrase China often uses to warn against the United States supporting Taiwan – will be severely penalized and "doomed" to failure.

China has conducted two rounds of war exercises around Taiwan this year. The most recent was in October, when it responded to Lai’s national day. It said that the exercises were meant to warn against "separatist actions" and promised to take further action, if necessary.

Security sources expected China to conduct drills in conjunction with Lai's U.S. visit, as well as to warn the incoming Trump Administration about China's "red lines".

The de facto U.S. Embassy in Taiwan stated on Thursday that Chinese military activities in the region were currently increased, but that it did not view this wider activity as being a reaction to Lai's U.S. trip.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry announced that it had disbanded the emergency response center, signaling an end to current Chinese military activities.

The ministry reported that it only saw 12 Chinese military planes operating in the area within the last 24 hours. This is down from the 34 aircraft that were spotted the day before.

Taiwan's Coast Guard also announced on Friday that nine Chinese coastguard ships, which were located off the island's southwest and southeast coasts in recent days, had moved northwards following "undue activities".

Taiwan's Coast Guard published photos and videos of its ships shadowing Chinese boats off the east coast of the island in rough seas under grey skies. Reporting by Joe Cash, Ben Blanchard and Shri Nalvaratnam. Editing by Michael Perry and Michael Perry.

(source: Reuters)