China holds large naval and air force exercises around Taiwan as a warning against independence

China conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, calling it a warning against independence. The drills, involving multiple branches of the military, were a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s refusal to acknowledge Taiwan as part of China. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry deemed the exercises provocative and stated readiness to respond. China views the drills as a demonstration of its determination to safeguard national sovereignty, while Taiwan maintains its separate identity despite China’s claims of inevitable annexation.READ FULL