China’s military announced on Tuesday that it has begun joint army, navy, and rocket force exercises around Taiwan, aimed at deterring what it described as Taiwanese independence efforts.

The drills, conducted by the Eastern Theater Command, include combat readiness patrols at sea and in the air, striking maritime and land targets, and imposing blockade controls on key areas and routes, according to a statement on its official WeChat account.

The exercises are being presented as a direct warning to Taiwan’s Lai Ching-Te, whom China has labeled a “parasite.” A video titled “Shell” on the Eastern Theater Command’s WeChat page depicted Lai as a cartoon bug held by chopsticks above a burning Taiwan, with captions such as: “Parasite poisoning Taiwan island. Parasite hollowing Island out. Parasite courting ultimate destruction.”

A poster titled “Closing In,” showing Chinese warships and fighter jets circling Taiwan, was also released on the Eastern Theater Command’s Weibo account shortly after the announcement.

China, which has never ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has increased its military and political pressure on the island in recent years. The latest drills are part of what Beijing describes as a stern warning against any moves toward Taiwanese independence.

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