As pointed out by many China observers, the unprovoked drills aim at manifesting China’s ability to strangle or choke, if not takedown, Taiwan in a swift manner.

The drills underscore China’s persistent efforts to pressure new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. They were named “Joint Sword-2024B,” following on from the “2024A” exercises held right after his inauguration in May.

PLA Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo TAIPEI (Reuters) - China said its day of war games around democratically governed Taiwan on Monday was a warning against "separatist acts" and threatened more could be in the offing,

China launched military exercises around Taiwan as part of what it called a 'stern warning' against 'separatist acts by Taiwan independent forces.'

China’s armed forces held more drills around Taiwan that they said were intended as a warning to halt “separatist acts” — a move coming just after the archipelago’s president vowed to stand up to challenges from Beijing.

People look at a giant screen showing news footage of military drills conducted in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan, by the Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA),

Taiwan was a Japanese colony before being unified with China at the end of World War II. It split away in 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists fled to the island as Mao Zedo

The Chinese military said the exercises, which will simulate strikes on land and at sea, would serve as “a stern warning” to “Taiwan independence forces.”

Thousands of U.S. and Filipino troops launched joint exercises as Taiwan detected a record 153 Chinese military aircraft around the self-ruled island.