The Chinese military announced large-scale drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan on Tuesday that include an aircraft carrier battle group, as it again warned the self-ruled island democracy against seeking formal independence.

China launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan, including an aircraft carrier group, warning against independence. Taiwan condemned the exercises, tracking Chinese warships. Beijing intensified rhetoric against Taiwan’s president,

One analyst called China’s large-scale drills a “pre-invasion operation” as it ramps up attacks on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, calling him a “parasite.”