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.

Taiwan’s President William Lai said on Monday that his government will continue to defend the island’s democracy and national security, as China encircled the island with large-scale military drills.

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.