Hong Kong (CNN) China is stepping up military drills around East Asia as a war of words with the United States heats up over Washington's military activities and the visit of a US cabinet secretary to Taiwan. Azar's presence in Taipei is "a serious breach" of US commitments on Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Monday afternoon. Recent drills include a mock beach assault in Hainan province on the South China Sea; a sea-crossing and landing with amphibious assault vehicles in Guangdong province; sea-crossing assault drills in Fujian province; and flights of missile-armed bombers and fighters over the South China Sea. "The PLA drills come amid the increasingly frequent provocative military activities made by the US near the island of Taiwan and in waters in the South China Sea," the Global Times report says. "I am sure the idea is on the table since the Chinese military would not publish such bombastic rhetoric on its initiative," he said.

Source: CNN August 11, 2020 08:03 UTC