Taiwan’s defence ministry has condemned China’s military exercises around the self-ruled island as “irrational provocations”.

The drills come just three days after the inauguration of Taiwanese president William Lai, whom Beijing has labelled as a “separatist” and a “troublemaker”.

Beijing, which has long claimed Taiwan, is performing the drills all around the main island, and the Taipei-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.

A spokesperson for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has called them a “strong punishment” for “separatist acts”.

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