Manila, Dec. 31 -- The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday expressed its concern over the series of Chinese military and coast guard activities around Taiwan.

In a statement, DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said such actions "undermine regional peace and stability" and are "creating cracks in an already fragile geopolitical environment."

"This heightened scale of coercion has implications that extend beyond cross-Strait relations and into the broader Indo-Pacific community," he added.

The Chinese military and coast guard activities Teodoro was referring to include the launching of missiles and fighter aircraft, as well as the maneuvering of naval vessels in Taiwanese territory.

Amid these developments, Teodoro said "[...