China deployed 32 aircraft around Taiwan as part of a joint combat drill and announced "live-fire exercises" in an area about 40 nautical miles (74 kilometres) off the island's south, the ministry said.

Taiwan's military responded by sending sea, air and land forces to "monitor, alert and respond appropriately", the statement said.

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," the ministry said.

"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."

China has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty over the island -- which Taipei rejects.