China Launches 'Punishment' Drills Around Taiwan, Prompting Military Response

China has commenced two days of military drills around Taiwan, involving multiple branches of its military, as a response to Taiwan's new president William Lai Ching-te's inauguration and his call for Beijing to cease its intimidation. Taiwan's Ministry of Defence has placed its military on high alert, condemning the drills as irrational provocations. The exercises, named Joint Sword-2024A, are seen as a strong message against Taiwan's independence and external interference, with further actions from Beijing anticipated.