Taiwan says it detected a total of 62 Chinese military aircraft during a second day of drills by Beijing in areas surrounding Taiwan on Friday.
China's Eastern Theater Command announced on Thursday that a two-day exercise would take place through Friday around Taiwan, the Kinmen Islands and other areas.
Taiwan's defense ministry said that from after 7 a.m. through 9:40 p.m. on Friday, it detected 62 Chinese military aircraft including H-6 bombers and KJ-500 early warning and control aircraft, as well as Chinese military and coast guard vessels.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said on Friday that every time "Taiwan independence" separatist forces provoke China, Beijing will push its countermeasures one step further, until the complete unification of the motherland is achieved.
The comment is believed to be a strong warning to the administration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, which does not recognize the "one-China" principle.
The Chinese military has yet to announce whether the drills have ended, but observers say Beijing will continue to step up pressure on the Lai administration through military activities.