Taipei/Beijing

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The Chinese military started a new round of war games near Taiwan on Monday (Oct 14), saying it was a warning to the "separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces." A report by the news agency Reuters said that it was not known when the war games would conclude.

In a statement, the Chinese military's Eastern Theatre Command said the "Joint Sword-2024B" drills were taking place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan.

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"The drill also serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity," the statement added. 

China's new war games near Taiwan were strongly condemned by Taipei.

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Here's a look at the latest updates:

> The Eastern Theatre Command published a map showing nine areas around Taiwan where the drills were taking place - two on the island's east coast, three on the west coast, one to the north and three around Taiwan-controlled islands next to the Chinese coast.

> The command further said that Chinese aircraft were approaching Taiwan in "close proximity from different directions", focusing on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, blockading key ports and areas, assaulting maritime and ground targets and "joint seizure of comprehensive superiority." However, it did not announce any live-fire exercises or any no-fly areas.

> On Monday, Taiwan's defence ministry said that its outlying islands were on "heightened alert" after China launched military drills. "All outlying island defence zones are on heightened alert, and our aircraft and ships will respond to enemy situations in accordance with the engagement rules issued by the ministry," the ministry added.

> The ministry's remarks came after President Lai Ching-te held a "high-level" security meeting over China's military drills around the island.

> Earlier, Reuters reported that Taiwan's China policy-making Mainland Affairs Council said that Beijing's Monday war games and refusal to renounce the use of force were "blatant provocations" that seriously undermined regional peace and stability.

> In the face of further political, military, and economic threats posed by China to Taiwan in recent days, Taiwan will not back down, the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement.

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> "President Lai has already expressed his goodwill in his national day speech and is willing to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait together with the Chinese communists," it added.

> Meanwhile, the United States condemned China's military drills around Taiwan, saying the move is "unwarranted and risks escalation" as it called on Beijing to act with restraint.

> "The United States is seriously concerned by the People's Liberation Army joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan," said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, referring to China's military.

(With inputs from agencies)