China's Military Drills Near Taiwan Raise Tensions

China says recent air and sea drills simulating an encirclement of Taiwan were intended as a “serious warning” to pro-independence politicians on the self-governing island and their foreign supporters. Although China said the exercises are over, it has kept up military pressure against Taiwan in the past few days and signaled it will do more. The vast majority of Taiwanese favor maintaining their current de-facto independent status, while China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary.