China Conducts joint Military Exercises in 'Christmas Present' to Taiwan

The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) conducted joint firepower striking exercise involving troops of multiple services in the waters and airspace around the Taiwan Island on Christmas Day, said Army Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command (ETC), on Sunday.
The spokesperson said that this is a "firm" response to the current escalation of provocations by the US in collusion with the Taiwan authorities.
“This is a resolute response to the current escalation of collusion and provocation from the United States and Taiwan,” the PLA ETC said in a subsequent statement.
“Theater forces will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it added.
Meanwhile Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said that eight Chinese military aircraft and three naval ships had been detected near Taiwan between 6am on Saturday and 6am yesterday.
Taiwanese fighter jets were deployed to warn the Chinese aircraft, and air defense missile systems were deployed to monitor the activities, it said.