Chinese warships surrounded Taiwan in surprise military drills around the democratically run island.

Footage shows Communist vessels sailing off the coast of the island on April 1, as China accused Taiwanese leaders of being 'parasites' and 'separatists'.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it detected 71 People's Liberation Army aircraft and at least 19 Navy and Coast Guard ships today, April 2. It added the Taiwan military has deployed aircraft, ships, and coastal missile systems to respond to the threat.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s Eastern Theater Command had said in a statement: 'It is a stern warning and forceful deterrence against ‘Taiwan Independence' separatist forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity.'

Though it is officially known as the 'Republic of China,' Taiwan has been governed separately from mainland China, which is known as the 'People's Republic of China'.

Unlike China, Taiwan has elections and high levels of human rights that meet international standards. But Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and has, in recent years, stepped up pressure - both economic and military - to stake its territorial claims on the island.

Communist chiefs are also said to be drawn by the lucrative semiconductor industry in Taiwan, which provides vital components to the West, potentially giving the CCP power over America if they were to bring chip production under state control.