Chinese forces held large-scale military drills around Taiwan, simulating the seizure and blockade of key areas of the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own.
The drills come just days after Washington approved the sale of one of its biggest ever arms packages to Taiwan, a move that drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing. The exercises are a “serious warning to Taiwan… and [to] external interference forces,” a spokesperson for the Chinese army said.
Taipei has vowed to rapidly boost its defense spending — including a $40 billion spending commitment announced last month — amid warnings that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has reportedly tasked his forces with being ready for a potential invasion of the island by 2027.