China launched military drills near Taiwan on Monday, in what it said was a stern warning against the "separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces".

Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said the drills, dubbed Joint Sword-2024B, "test the joint operations capabilities of the theater command's troops".

The 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 smaller islands next to the mainland coast.

Ships and aircraft are 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", Li said.

"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," he added..

The coast guard was also dispatched to conduct inspections around the island. A diagram released by the coast guard showed four fleets encircling Taiwan and moving in an anticlockwise direction around the island.

The drills come after Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te gave an speech last Thursday saying China had no right to represent the island, drawing condemnation from Beijing.

Since then, state media have run a series of stories and commentaries denouncing Lai's speech, and on Sunday the Eastern Theatre Command released a video saying it was "prepared for battle".

The PLA's Liberation Army Daily newspaper wrote on Monday that "those who play with fire get burned!".

"As long as the 'Taiwan independence' provocations continue, the PLA's actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity will not stop," the paper said.

Taiwan’s mainland affairs council has condemned the drills as "blatant provocations" that it said seriously undermined regional peace and stability.

Authorities on the island also said “appropriate forces” have been dispatched. (Xinhua, agencies)