SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China’s armed forces conducted another round of drills last week near Taiwan to improve joint combat operations. The People’s Liberation Army reported Monday that the Chinese-claimed Island had experienced an increase in activity.

Taiwan complained about Chinese military activities near it for two years. They were mostly concentrated in the south and southwestern parts of Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan’s air force fought back on Friday against 18 Chinese airliners that had entered its air defense zone. It reported more incursions on Saturday, but with fewer aircraft.

According to The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command, drills were conducted by naval and air force resources from Friday through Sunday in the east and south of Taiwan.

It stated that the exercises would “further evaluate and improve joint combat capabilities of multiple services or arms”, but did not elaborate.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry claimed that equipment was involved in the attack, including fighters, anti-submarine and bombers.

No shots were fired, and no Chinese aircraft flew in Taiwan’s Air Space. They did so in Taiwan’s ADIZ. This is a larger air space Taiwan monitors and watches that allows it greater time to deal with any threat.

Japan reported last week that eight Chinese naval vessels including one aircraft carrier passed between two islands of the southern Okinawa chain in Japan.

Taiwan also conducted pre-announced missile drills and other exercises off its south and southeast coasts over the last week.

China has not renounced using force to bring Taiwan democracy under its command, and Taiwan Strait continues to be a dangerous military flashpoint.

The Taiwanese government has rejected China’s claims to sovereignty, stating that only 23 million islanders can make decisions about their future.