China kicks off military drills near Taiwan, warns island's 'independence' means war

China’s military conducted joint exercises off the coast of Taiwan, aiming to send a “stern warning” to those challenging peace in the Taiwan Strait. The drills, targeting Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te administration’s independence provocations, involved assaults on maritime and ground targets. In response, the U.S. pledged to bolster defense ties with Japan and the Philippines to counter China and prevent the seizure of Taiwan, amid ongoing tensions in the region.

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