The thermometer is rising in East Asia. Japan announced today, Monday, that ordered the mobilization of fighter jets in recent days because of the aeronautical drills that China is conducting around Taiwan.

The three-day military drills, which began on Saturday, were organized by Beijing in response to the April 5 meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the US.

Taiwan announced earlier today that it had detected 11 warships and 70 military aircraft of China around the island. Fighter jets and warships, including the aircraft carrier Shandong, took part in simulated strikes on the island, including live-fire drills.

Japan’s military general staff said in a statement issued today that it had spotted the Shandong and other Chinese warships in an area located 230-430 km south of the Japanese island of Miyako since last Friday.

“About 120 pre-registrations and condolences” were confirmed on the Shandong aircraft carrier, including 80 warplanes and 40 helicopters, according to the general staff.

Two escort groups of Japanese forces were mobilized for this surveillance mission and “air self-defense force fighter jets were deployed” in response to heavy activity by Chinese fighter jets, he said.

It is the first time that Shandong, one of China’s two aircraft carriers, participates in high schools which include the encirclement of Taiwan, according to the Chinese military.

“If we want to protect peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, we must firmly oppose any form of secession for Taiwan independence,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference today.