TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Presidential Office on Saturday called on China not to act as a troublemaker in the global community following its decision to stage live-fire drills in the Yellow Sea.

The military exercises were the latest step in a series of Chinese moves targeting Japan after Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said Nov. 7 that a “Taiwan contingency” involving China might lead to intervention by Japan’s defense forces even if the country was not attacked directly.

Taiwan Presidential Spokesperson Kuo Ya-huei (郭雅慧) said Saturday China should stop its inappropriate unilateral actions, the Liberty Times reported. Taiwan hoped Beijing would take up its responsibility as a major power and return to the international rules-based order, she said.

China’s threats against Japan also posed a serious level of threats to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, according to Kuo. She said Taiwan was monitoring developments and would work closely with other countries, including Japan, to safeguard freedoms in the region.

China said its live-fire drills in the Yellow Sea will take place over three full days next week. Civilian ships will be barred from entering the area Nov. 17-19.