China Conducts ‘Punishment’ Drills, Citing Over Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s ‘Separatism’

Taiwan’s defence ministry released footage on March 17 showing Chinese military exercises near Taiwan after Beijing said the drills were punishment for President Lai Ching-te’s “separatist” actions. China, which has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, carried out “joint combat readiness patrols” in the morning and afternoon, involving 54 Chinese warplanes, including J-10 jets and drones. The aircraft flew in airspace to the north, west, southwest, and east of Taiwan. Taiwan’s air and naval forces were deployed to monitor the situation. n18oc_world n18oc_crux