Tensions rise as China conducts military drills and ship inspections near Taiwan ahead of US meetings.

China's Fujian maritime safety administration has launched a three-day joint patrol and inspection operation in the central and northern parts of the Taiwan Strait, including boarding ships, amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan. Taiwan's Transport Ministry's Maritime and Ports Bureau has lodged a strong protest with China about the move and has notified relevant shipping operators to refuse such requests from China and immediately notify Taiwan's coast guard to render assistance.