China's military said Tuesday its army, navy and rocket forces launched a joint exercise off the coast of Taiwan in what it described as a "stern warning" to "separatist forces" looking to undermine peace in the Taiwan Strait.

The Chinese military has announced large-scale drills around Taiwan, as it warned the self-ruled island against seeking independence.

China has kicked off large-scale military and coastguard exercises around Taiwan, the latest round in Beijing’s escalating campaign to assert its claims of sovereignty and suppress the island nation’s efforts to preserve its de facto independence.