Taiwan's defense ministry says China is deploying its largest number of military vessels in recent years to areas around Taiwan.

Beijing has sharply reacted to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te's recent stopover in Hawaii and Guam, as well as his phone talks with US congressional leaders. Reports say China is likely to conduct a military drill around Taiwan.

Defense ministry officials told reporters on Tuesday that the number of Chinese vessels deployed to areas around Taiwan in the past few days is the largest since 2022. In that year, China conducted a series of large-scale drills around Taiwan in reaction to visits by US lawmakers.

Defense ministry officials also said that in the 24 hours through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, local time, a total of 47 military aircraft, as well as 21 naval and patrol vessels were spotted in areas around Taiwan.

The defense ministry said China's move appears to be an attempt to blockade Taiwan and keep away foreign forces.

It also said China's target is not just Taiwan, but that the broader region is under threat.