Taiwan‘s defense ministry expressed concerns on Thursday regarding the instability of policies from China, coinciding with an increase in military operations and live-fire exercises in the vicinity of the island. The ministry indicated that Beijing poses a significant challenge to its neighboring countries.

Taiwan, which operates under a democratic government and is regarded by Beijing as part of its territory, has reported a rise in Chinese military activities over the last five years. The Taiwanese government firmly disputes China’s claims of sovereignty.

On Thursday, the defense ministry noted the detection of extensive Chinese military maneuvers for the second consecutive day, involving 29 aircraft participating in a “joint combat readiness patrol” alongside Chinese naval vessels. The previous day, the ministry had alerted about 43 Chinese military aircraft operating in the region. Among these, 23 aircraft traversed south of Taiwan via the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, and proceeded along the eastern coast of Taiwan, as indicated on a ministry map, although they did not breach territorial airspace.

The ministry highlighted a visit from September 18 to 20 by the head of China’s southern military command to the U.S. military in Hawaii, noting that concurrently, China conducted “multiple waves of live-fire attacks” during exercises in the Yellow and Bohai seas, close to the Korean peninsula and Japan.

It emphasized that China is striving to enhance its military capabilities while simultaneously fostering a façade of dialogue. This approach “underscores the hegemonic tendencies of an authoritarian regime that lacks consistent policy, presenting a significant challenge to neighboring nations,” the ministry stated.

China’s defense ministry has not provided any comments regarding the recent activities around Taiwan and has not responded to a request for comment from Reuters. A security source familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, informed Reuters that Wednesday’s flights were part of China’s annual military drills.

The People’s Liberation Army was engaged in simulated military operations in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, aimed at honing their capabilities to deny access and “prevent foreign assistance” in the event of a regional conflict, according to the source.

Additionally, the Chinese air force conducted exercises to establish “air superiority” over the waters near Taiwan’s southwestern coast and practiced aerial refueling operations in the Bashi Channel, the source reported.

China last conducted comprehensive military exercises around Taiwan in late May, shortly after the inauguration of the new president, Lai Ching-te, who is viewed unfavorably by Beijing, which labels him a “separatist.”

Lai maintains that the future of Taiwan should be determined solely by its people and has consistently proposed dialogue with Beijing, only to face rejection.