Taipei: Taiwan’s defense ministry announced on Sunday that China has nearly doubled its warship presence around the island within the past 24 hours, as security experts anticipate another round of military drills.

Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, is reportedly incensed by President Lai Ching-te’s recent visits to Hawaii and Guam during a week-long Pacific tour. Lai returned to Taiwan late Friday.

This escalation follows two previous rounds of Chinese war games around Taiwan earlier this year. The ministry reported 14 Chinese warships operating in the vicinity, up from eight the previous day. It also detected four Chinese balloons over the Taiwan Strait, with one skimming the island’s edge.

Security sources suggest weather conditions in the strait, which have been poor over the weekend, may influence Beijing's timing for any military exercises. China's defense ministry has not commented on the developments.

In a stern statement via WeChat, China’s Ministry of State Security condemned Lai’s "independence-seeking" actions and alignment with the U.S., declaring such efforts "destined to fail." The commentary accused Taiwan’s leadership of posturing and the U.S. of conspiring with "gangsters and jackals" in supporting the island.

The statement warned against underestimating China’s resolve and capability to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, cautioning that any misstep on the Taiwan issue would come at a cost.

Lai’s administration continues to reject Beijing’s territorial claims over Taiwan.