China Launches 'Punishment' Drills Around Taiwan, Sparking Tensions

China has initiated two days of military exercises around Taiwan as a "strong punishment" for what it calls "separatist acts" by the self-ruled island. The drills, which simulate a full-scale attack, come shortly after the inauguration of Taiwan's President William Lai, who urged China to cease its threats and recognize Taiwan's democracy. Taiwan's defense ministry condemned the exercises as irrational provocations and deployed forces to defend its sovereignty. The drills also aim to demonstrate to the U.S. that resupplying Taiwan from the east is vulnerable to Chinese attacks.