After becoming the chairman of parliament's defence committee, the MP for Slough has hit out at China's recent huge military drills near Taiwan, calling them "intimidatory."

China's People Liberation Army had more than 150 aircraft and a total of 36 ship positioned around Taiwan on Monday, with reports suggesting that it is the largest single-day show of force from China near the island. 

China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, but the self-ruled island governs itself as a separate nation. 

The military drills were "highly aggressive and intimidatory," according to Tan Dhesi, the MP for Slough, who was made the chairman of the House of Common's Defence Select Committee earlier this month. 

Speaking in parliament, Mr Dhesi said: "In these particularly volatile times, I fully welcome the Government’s strategic defence review. I for one hope it will include serious analysis of the Indo-Pacific region, because many of us are very concerned about China’s recent launch of military drills around Taiwan."

Addressing defence secretary John Healey, Mr Dhesi requested further information on how the government is working to "de-escalate" the situation.

Mr Healey said: "My Right Honourable Friend will know that our party went into the election committed to building on commitments the previous Government made on the Indo-Pacific.

"I want the strategic defence review to be not just the Government’s defence review, but Britain’s defence review.

"We are consulting military veterans, industry, academic experts and all parties in this House.

"I trust that, like me, he will welcome that all-party approach, particularly as he now chairs the Select Committee, and will work with us."