China's military encircles Taiwan in new drills following its president's visit to the US

• China's military has encircled Taiwan during three days of "combat readiness patrols."
• The move follows Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the US.

China's military has encircled Taiwan during three days of "combat readiness patrols" following Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the US, AP reports.

China has described the drills, involving 42 military planes and eight ships crossing the Taiwan Strait median line, as a "stern warning against the collusion between separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence" and external forces and against their provocative activities," according to Chinese state media Xinhua.

The BBC reported that the three-day operation – dubbed "United Sharp Sword" – had deployed "long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers, and refuellers," according to Chinese state media.

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said it condemned the "irrational act that has jeopardized regional security and stability."

China's war gaming comes after President Ing-wen met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy this week. He hailed her as a "great friend of America," according to AP.

McCarthy said, "America's support for the people of Taiwan will remain resolute, unwavering, and bipartisan," per AP.

Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, considers itself a sovereign state. This is disputed by China, which believes the island, 112 miles from the southeast coast of the mainland, is a former territory that was an intrinsic part of China before 1949.