China says a series of recent military drills conducted near Taiwan was aimed at sending an “extremely clear” message to the self-ruled island that Beijing would be ready to take action against any separatist bid.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said on Wednesday that weeks of naval maneuvers in the narrow waterway separating the Chinese mainland from Taiwan was a message that Beijing is ready to take more actions to protect peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the interests of people on both sides of the strait.

“We have the resolute will, full confidence, and sufficient ability to foil any form of Taiwan independence separatist plots and moves and to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ma said

“If Taiwan independence forces continue to do as they please, we will take further steps,” he warned.

China has held several military exercises around Taiwan, including flying bombers and other military aircraft, since Taiwan’s pro-independence President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016.

The latest drill was conducted last week in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwanese officials said on Tuesday that they would practice thwarting a Chinese “invasion” in annual live-fire drills in June.

Beijing sees the island as a breakaway Chinese province that has to be brought back into the fold and has not ruled out reunification by force.