China Launches Military Drills Encircling Taiwan as Warning to New President

China has initiated "punishment" military drills around Taiwan in response to what it calls "separatist acts" by newly inaugurated President Lai Ching-te. The exercises, involving heavily armed warplanes and mock attacks, come just days after Lai's inauguration and are seen as a demonstration of China's military capabilities and a warning against foreign interference. Taiwan's defense ministry has responded by deploying forces and tracking Chinese activities, while the U.S. has urged Beijing to exercise restraint. The drills are smaller in scale compared to previous exercises but include areas around Taiwan-controlled islands, highlighting China's ongoing pressure on Taiwan.