Albanese government says Chinese military drills ‘deeply concerning’

China’s recent military drills around Taiwan have sparked fresh fears around Beijing’s plans for the island, with Australia calling them.

The Albanese government says major Chinese military exercises around Taiwan are “deeply concerning” and is calling on Beijing to “refrain” from doing anything escalatory.

China’s defence ministry said it encircled Taiwan on Monday with warships and planes as part of military drills around the democratically self-governed island.

The war games, codenamed Joint Sword-2024B, have been condemned by Taiwan and Western countries.

“It is deeply concerning that China has commenced large-scale military exercises around Taiwan,” a spokesman for Foreign Minister Penny Wong told NewsWire.

“Differences should be resolved through dialogue, not the threat or use of force or coercion.

“We urge China to refrain from actions that increase the risk of accident and potential escalation.

“Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in all our interests.”

The spokesman said Australia has not shifted from its “longstanding, bipartisan one-China policy”.

Joint Sword-2024B was the fourth major Chinese exercise around Taiwan in two years.

Beijing claims the Taiwan and swathes of the strait that separates it from the Chinese mainland.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to unite the two in his lifetime.

The defence ministry said the drills simulated sea and air campaigns against Taiwan, including strikes on targets and blockades on vital ports.

China ran air and sea drills around Taiwan recently, raising concerns in the West. Picture: Getty

“The troops of the theatre will always stay on high alert, keep strengthening combat readiness with arduous training, and resolutely foil the Taiwan independence separatist attempts,” a Chinese military spokesman said.

Taiwan’s defence ministry decried the latest exercises as “irrational and provocative”.

“In the face of enemy threats, all officers and soldiers of the country are in full readiness,” it said.

Meanwhile, a US military spokesman said China’s “military pressure operation is irresponsible, disproportionate and destabilising.”

Originally published as Albanese government says Chinese military drills ‘deeply concerning’