China Conducts Military Drills Around Taiwan, US Warns Against Escalation

The United States has stated that China's military activities around Taiwan will only "exacerbate tensions" and "endanger regional security." The warning came after China announced new drills in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese military commenced a second day of large-scale exercises in the waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan on Wednesday. Codenamed "Strait Thunder-2025A," the drills took place in the southern and central parts of the Taiwan Strait, focusing on testing capabilities to control territory, conduct joint blockades, and launch precision strikes against key targets. Taiwan has condemned these military exercises. Taiwan also held a fresh set of drills in the Taiwan Strait, ramping up pressure on the government of President Lai Ching-te. The exercises on Wednesday in the central and southern parts of the strait were labeled Strait Thunder-2025A.