Large Chinese military exercise near Taiwan

Dozens of Chinese warships and other vessels have gathered near Taiwan in one of China's largest military exercises to date, according to Taiwan.

According to a security source in Taiwan, nearly 90 Chinese vessels are in the waters between Japanese Okinawa in the north and the Philippines to the south. The Ministry of Defense has previously stated that 47 Chinese aircraft were registered near the island, the highest number registered in a day since October.

Taiwan's military is on high alert due to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-Te's recent visit to the USA. China has previously responded to similar events with threatening military exercises around Taiwan.

China claims that Taiwan is part of the country. The USA is Taiwan's most important ally, although Washington does not officially have diplomatic relations with Taipei.