Taiwan on Wednesday dispatched naval, air and land forces in response to China’s “live-fire” drills held off the coast of the self-ruled island, its Defense Ministry said, condemning the unexpected exercise.

China’s People’s Liberation Army “has blatantly violated international norms by unilaterally designating a drill zone 40 NM off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung, claiming to conduct live-fire exercises without prior warning,” Taipei said.

Detecting 32 aircraft around Taiwan as part of the Chinese drill, Taiwan’s military said it responded by sending forces to “monitor, alert and respond appropriately.”

“This move not only caused a high degree of danger to the safety of international flights and vessels at sea, but is also a blatant provocation to regional security and stability,” the ministry said.

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China has time and again threatened to use force to establish control over Taiwan.

The self-ruled island is a major point of contention between Washington and Beijing. While the US is legally required to provide arms to Taiwan for its defense, it has remained ambiguous about sending its own military if required.