China conducts military drills near Taiwan as punishment

China conducted military exercises near Taiwan, stating they were a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's promotion of "separatism." The drills involved 54 warplanes and were described as joint combat readiness patrols. Taiwan's defense ministry reported that Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, prompting a response from Taiwanese air and naval forces. Taiwan accused China of raising tensions and destabilizing the region. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council labeled China a "troublemaker" and urged allies to address China's military expansion. Lai has offered talks with Beijing, but these have been rejected, emphasizing that only Taiwan's people can decide their future.