TAIPEI, Taiwan — On Monday, China conducted extensive military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan and its nearby islands.
These maneuvers, as stated by China’s Defense Ministry, were instigated by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s unwillingness to comply with Beijing’s request for Taiwan to recognize itself as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China governed by the Communist Party.
In reaction, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry labeled the exercises as provocative and affirmed that its military was ready to take appropriate action.