Australia is urging China to stop its military intimidation against Taiwan after war drills surrounded the island.

The People’s Liberation Army launched more than 150 military aircraft around Taiwan to warn Taipei against “separatist acts,” according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office expressed serious concerns about the large-scale exercises in a statement to SkyNews.com.au on Tuesday.

“It is deeply concerning that China has begun large-scale military exercises around Taiwan,” a spokesperson for Ms Wong said in a statement.

“Disputes must be resolved through dialogue and not through threats, use of force or coercion.

“We urge China to refrain from any actions that could increase the risk of accidents and potential escalation. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are in everyone’s interests.

The alarming military exercises were triggered by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s speech to commemorate Taiwan’s National Day.

In his speech last week, Mr. Lai said he would “uphold his commitment to resist annexation or encroachment on our sovereignty.”

He also said China had no right to represent Taiwan even though he had offered to cooperate with Beijing, which considers Taiwan its own territory.

In response, Beijing threatened to continue war exercises if Taiwan continued to provoke China by asserting its independence.

“The actions of the People’s Liberation Army will be pushed further with each provocation of Taiwan independence,” China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The military exercises took place on Monday in the Taiwan Strait when 28 planes crossed the median line – which previously served as an unofficial barrier between the two countries.

There were also 14 Chinese navy ships and 12 “official ships” circling the small island – about half the size of Tasmania.

Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai said of the events: “Any exercise without prior warning will cause serious disruption to peace and stability in the entire region.”

He said China’s actions not only affected Taiwan, but also had serious implications on international maritime and air space.

The United States also condemned China’s actions and called the military exercises “irresponsible, disproportionate and destabilizing.”

“We will continue to work with our allies and partners to advance our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, despite the PRC’s destabilizing behavior,” the Pentagon said Monday.

Sky News/Reuters