Taiwan’s foreign minister warned Tuesday that Beijing is encircling the island with air and sea maneuvers in preparation for an invasion and to disrupt the status quo in the Asia-Pacific region.

Last week, China conducted its largest-ever war drills surrounding Taiwan in retaliation for a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island in decades.

“China has used the drills and its military playbook to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan,” Joseph Wu said during a press briefing in Taipei.

“It is conducting large-scale military exercises and missile launches, as well as cyber-attacks, a disinformation campaign and economic coercion in order to weaken public morale in Taiwan.”

The drills were once again condemned by Taiwan’s top ambassador. Despite initially stating that they would stop a day sooner, Beijing continued Monday, claiming that they have hampered one of the world’s busiest maritime and air routes.

Wu’s media conference occurred after the Taiwanese military conducted its own live-fire simulation to simulate defending the island against an assault.

Beijing’s war maneuvers, he said, were a “gross violation of Taiwan’s rights” and an attempt to seize the power of the waters surrounding Taiwan and the larger Asia-Pacific area.

“China’s real intention is to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and entire region,” he stated.

Wu goes on to express gratitude to Western friends for standing up to China.

“It also sends a clear message to the world that democracy will not bow to the intimidation of authoritarianism,” he added.