China’s military on Monday launched joint drills around Taiwan involving air, navy and missile units, calling them a “stern warning” against “Taiwan independence” forces and what it described as “external interference.” Taiwan said it was placing its forces on alert and condemned Beijing as “the biggest destroyer of peace.”

Russia has issued a strong warning on Taiwan as global power rivalries sharpen. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow firmly opposes Taiwanese independence, calling the island an integral part of China.