Taiwan said that a Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed south of the country on Sunday, while the Chinese military released a video saying it was “ready for battle,” amid fears in Taipei that Beijing might carry out a new round of military maneuvers.

China considers democratically governed Taiwan part of its territory, and criticizes Taiwanese President Lai Ching-tei, describing him as a "separatist."

The Chinese army carries out regular operations around the island.

Lai said in an important speech on the occasion of National Day last week that China does not have the right to represent Taiwan, but Taipei is ready to work with Beijing to address challenges such as climate change. His tone was characterized by both decisiveness and reconciliation, but this angered China.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said in a statement that a Chinese aircraft carrier group led by the carrier Liaoning entered the waters near the Bashi Channel, which connects the disputed South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, and separates Taiwan from the Philippines. It was reported that the aircraft carrier group is expected to enter the western Pacific Ocean.

The ministry added that the Taiwan Armed Forces are closely monitoring developments and "exercise caution and appropriate response," without going into details.

Security sources in Taiwan said before Lai’s speech that his speech might prompt China to carry out Chinese military maneuvers after the most recent maneuvers it conducted in May, and described it as “punishment” in response to Lai’s presidential speech that month.

Earlier today, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army posted a propaganda video on its social media accounts.

The clip showed fighter planes carrying out joint operations, mobile missile launchers being positioned, and amphibious assault vehicles, in addition to a small map of Taiwan inside one of the letters of the Chinese alphabet.

China has not ruled out the use of force to control Taiwan.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense did not respond to calls outside working hours today. China's Taiwan Affairs Office has not yet responded to a request for comment.

A Taiwanese security official told Reuters, requesting that his name not be published due to the sensitivity of the issue, that they are continuing to monitor the situation around the island, in addition to the Chinese media's comments about Lai's speech on National Day.