China Conducts Military Drills Around Taiwan to Test 'Seizure of Power' Capability

Taiwan has scrambled jets and put its missile, naval, and land units on alert in response to Chinese military exercises around the island, which Beijing claims as its territory. The drills are seen as punishment for Taiwan's pro-independence stance and come shortly after the inauguration of Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te. Taiwan's Defense Ministry condemned China's actions as jeopardizing regional peace, while the U.S. and Japan have also criticized the exercises, calling for regional nations to publicly condemn China's provocations.