The Chinese People's Liberation Army has vowed to deter "Taiwan Independence" separatist forces through strong means to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Military drills and inspections around the Taiwan Strait would become routine, as separatist activities are on the rise. Those are the messages from the Ministry of National Defense during a regular press conference on Thursday. Han Bin reports.

Chinese aircraft have circled Taiwan, in what the PLA calls a "sacred mission in response to provocations by the island's leaders". Among the types of aircraft are the H6K heavy bombers that can carry strategic missiles.

WU QIAN, SPOKESMAN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE "The secessionist activity in Taiwan has posed the greatest realistic threat to the cross-Strait relations and damaged the core interest of the Taiwan people. The activities we've taken are targeted at the independence groups and serve to protect the well-being of the Taiwan people."

Intentions for Taiwan's independence have grown since Tsai Ing-wen became its leader. She visited troops at a naval base the second day after Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected PLA naval warships in the South China Sea.

Beijing strongly opposes the increasing interactions between Taipei and Washington. Washington has new rules encouraging top-level officials to visit the island. Taiwan has also got promises from the US to help build its own submarines.

Beijing says Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. It has been issuing increasingly forceful calls for Taiwan to toe the line.

President Xi Jinping has warned against any Taiwan separatism, calling on the army to conduct more combat training to deal with the challenges.

The latest drills around the island are seen as counter measures to send strong messages to the world.

WU QIAN, SPOKESMAN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE "We uphold peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity. Yet, we need to point out that Taiwan separatist activities are doomed to failure, and any attempt by use of force to resist reunification would go nowhere."

The PLA Air Force has also warned more actions will follow its latest drills in the Strait. Training included live-fire drills at midnight. All this is aimed at thwarting any moves towards independence on the island.

SHEN JINKE, SPOKESMAN PLA AIR FORCE "We'll continue to patrol around the Taiwan Strait with multiple aircraft. We have resolute will and sufficient capability to defend the country's territorial integrity. "

HAN BIN BEIJING "China says the live-fire drills held by the PLA are designed to show that Beijing will not tolerate any moves by separatist forces to divide its territory. And further steps will be taken, if such groups continue to advocate independence in Taiwan. Han Bin, CGTN, Beijing."