China's military began large live-fire exercises around Taiwan on Monday, firing missiles and deploying ships and planes near the island to simulate an attack. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) declared the drills aimed to improve sea-air coordination and target hunting, involving submarines and maritime targets. Beijing considers Taiwan a part of China and plans to be invasion-ready by 2027, according to US intelligence. Taiwan’s defense ministry detected at least 14 naval vessels, 14 coast guard ships, a surveillance balloon, and 130 warplanes and drones during the exercises named 'Justice Mission 2025.' US President Donald Trump, commenting on Monday, said he had a “great relationship with President Xi, and he hasn’t told me anything about it.” Trump added, “I certainly have seen it … I don’t believe he is going to be doing it,” and stressed, “Nothing worries me.” This came just a day after China’s largest military display around Taiwan since 2022, including a live rocket launch from Pingtan, close to Taiwan. The PLA said the drills were successful and focused on simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s major ports and repelling foreign interference. Taiwan’s defense minister, Wellington Koo, condemned the drills as ignoring international norms and “aim to achieve cognitive warfare and deplete Taiwan’s combat capabilities.” Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te called China’s actions irresponsible and vowed to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty. China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, blamed the drills on US arms sales to Taiwan and Taiwan’s pro-independence forces. The state media warned that Taiwan’s ruling party risks heightening tensions and pushing the island towards conflict. The US is Taiwan’s most important supporter in resisting China’s annexation plans. Trump’s comments came ahead of an expected visit to Beijing next year for talks with Xi Jinping. The ongoing drills have ramped up tensions in the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing tests its military strength close to Taiwan's shores.