China surrounds Taiwan with 19 warships and 50 warplanes in snap war drills after slamming island’s ‘parasite’ president

CHINA has launched a fresh round of army, navy and rocket force exercises encircling Taiwan, Xi Jingping’s military has announced.

Beijing described the concerning movements, which included 19 warships and 50 aircraft, as a “stern warning” and a “powerful deterrent against Taiwanese independence”.

AFP

Taiwan say they detected at least 19 Chinese warships[/caption]

EPA

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong was seen near to Taiwan during the latest military drills[/caption]

The Chinese military even attacked Taiwanese President Lai Ching-Te by labelling him a “parasite”.

Taiwan announced today that it has detected at least 19 Chinese warships as well as the large Shandong aircraft carrier patrolling near to its self-governing island.

It marks the biggest number of enemy vessels seen in a 24-hour period since last May.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman of the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, announced the “sea-air combat-readiness patrols”.

He added that the move was a “joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes”.

Beijing’s armed forces also posted a disturbing image of the small island with the words “closing in” on it.

In a brave response, Taiwan sent out its own aircraft and ships.

They also deployed land-based missile systems as they accused Beijing of being the world’s “biggest troublemaker”.