China is building its capacity to rapidly turn military drills into a full-out attack, a senior Taiwan security official said, providing the Taipei government's assessment of the strategic intent behind Beijing's war games around the island this week.

China has made it clear that it won't hesitate to use military force if Taiwan pushes for independence, signaling an escalation in tensions.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, staged a day of large-scale drills around the island on Monday that it said were a warning to "separatist acts" following last week's national day speech by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

China's leader did not comment on the recent military exercises during his visit to the region, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

China’s President Xi Jinping has made a rare visit to a province facing Taiwan, following military exercises mobilizing China’s navy, air force, missile force and land troops to simulate a blockade of