BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -- China's defense ministry on Friday broke its silence about days of military activities around Taiwan, saying it was up to China to decide whether or not to hold drills and the military would "not be absent" in fighting against separatist forces.
Taiwan's defense ministry on Monday went on the alert and activated an emergency response center after reporting a large rise in Chinese military activity, both around the island and more broadly in the East and South China Seas.
