China's Military Drills Around Taiwan Raise Tensions and War Fears

China conducted military drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade of the island, and President Xi Jinping stated his desire to strengthen the country's army for "actual combat." China views Taiwan as a renegade province and has repeatedly threatened to invade it. Taiwan is effectively a sovereign state with its own political and judicial systems, but only 12 UN member states recognize it as such. The US has stated it would intervene if China invaded Taiwan, but official policy says otherwise. China has been eroding Taiwan's diplomatic recognition, and large companies and celebrities have come under fire from Beijing for stating that Taiwan is a country.