The arrest on the island of Menghu comes amid China's ongoing mass military drills at several locations encircling Taiwan's main island. A statement says the man attempted to cross to the small island, which is only a few miles off the coast of China, in a rubber dinghy.

China has launched a fresh round of military drills near Taiwan calling it a response to a recent speech by Taiwanese President William Lai where he affirmed Taiwan's determination to defend its sovereignty against annexation.

Britain said on Monday it was concerned by China's military exercises around Taiwan and said they increased tensions and risked "dangerous escalation" in the Taiwan Strait. "We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo