China's Military Drills Near Taiwan Escalate Tensions.

China conducted massive military drills around Taiwan for the second day in a row, deploying 71 aircraft and nine naval vessels. Taiwan's Ministry of Defense monitored the Chinese aircraft, 45 of which crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Chinese state television reported that the units carried out "simulated joint precision strikes on key targets on Taiwan island and the surrounding sea areas." The drills come after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States, where she met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other lawmakers. Lawmakers in the US have called for a defense agreement with Taiwan, with some stating that it is in the national security interest to defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion by China.