Chinese war games​ around Taiwan "unnecessarily" spiked tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department said, calling on Beijing to "cease its military pressure."

The drills began 11 days after the U.S. announced a record $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan and are Beijing's largest exercises to date by area and the closest yet to the island.

President Donald Trump’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media, with some users saying the operation offered a template for how Beijing could handle tensions with Taiwan.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Thursday vowed to defend the self-ruled island’s sovereignty in the face of what he termed China’s “expansionist ambitions,” days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire

Trump administration warns China over Taiwan, urging restraint and dialogue to preserve peace across the Taiwan Strait.

The second day of the large-scale war games, called “Justice Mission 2025,” saw the Chinese military encircle Taiwan on Tuesday.

China fired dozens of rockets towards Taiwan and deployed a large number of warships and aircraft in a show of force.

The US State Department said China’s military drills around Taiwan had “unnecessarily” raised tensions and urged Beijing to cease military pressure against the self-ruled island, after President Donald Trump initially shrugged off concerns.

China launches biggest military encirclement of Taiwan in 8 months with live-fire drills, rockets and warships in massive 'Justice Mission 2025' exercise.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed his country’s technological progress in areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors.