Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the country’s strategic missile forces to bolster their deterrence and combat capabilities, urging them to fully execute the tasks assigned by the Party and the people.

In his role as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, Xi made these remarks during an inspection of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Rocket Force brigade on Thursday.

The brigade has intensified its real-combat training and successfully carried out significant missions since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.

During his visit, Xi observed the brigade’s training and examined the performance of newly introduced weaponry and equipment.

He encouraged the officers and soldiers to "have good command and make the best use of the weapons in their hands," while emphasizing their responsibility to "live up to the trust of the Party and the people."

Xi called for enhanced troop training and combat preparedness to safeguard national security and core interests effectively. Additionally, he stressed the importance of targeted training with new equipment and combat methods, along with improving support systems to systematically strengthen combat capabilities.

China launches 'warning' large-scale military drills around Taiwan

China launched a show of military force around Taiwan last week, deploying fighter jets and warships in what Beijing described as a "stern warning" to "separatist" movements on the self-governed island.

This marked the fourth round of large-scale military exercises by China in the past two years, as Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contact with the island, has not ruled out the use of force to bring back Taiwan under its control.

The United States, Taiwan's most crucial ally and largest arms supplier, condemned the drills, calling them "unwarranted" and warning that they risk "escalation" while urging Beijing to exercise restraint.

Taiwan denounced the latest exercises as "irrational and provocative" and confirmed that it had mobilized "appropriate forces" in response.

Outlying islands under Taipei’s administration were placed on "heightened alert", and the Taiwanese Defense Ministry assured that "aircraft and ships will respond to enemy situations in accordance with the engagement rules."

Exercises stern warning to separatist acts: Beijing

Beijing stressed that the exercises were a "stern warning to the separatist acts of 'Taiwan Independence' forces" and dubbed the drills "Joint Sword-2024B."

Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, said the drills tested the joint operational capabilities of its forces, focusing on sea-air combat-readiness patrols and blockades of key ports and areas.

The exercises included simulated attacks on maritime and ground targets, with Chinese fighter jets and warships deployed, according to Chinese media.

Additionally, China's coast guard was deployed to conduct inspections around the island, as shown in a diagram indicating four fleets moving in an encircling, anticlockwise formation around Taiwan.

Coast guard units from Fujian province, the mainland region closest to Taiwan, also launched "comprehensive law enforcement patrols" in waters near Taiwan-controlled Matsu islands.

Taiwan reported that four Chinese coast guard formations were patrolling the region, though they had not entered "restricted waters".