The drills come in response to a recent speech by Taiwanese President William Lai, in which he vowed to resist any attempt by Beijing to annex the self-governed island.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has condemned China’s actions, calling them "irrational and provocative." The ministry reiterated that Taiwan is fully prepared to defend itself against any aggression. Despite the heightened tensions, Taiwan’s transport ministry reported that air traffic and port operations remain unaffected by the drills, assuring the public that conditions are "normal."

The United States, a key ally of Taiwan, has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation. Washington has repeatedly expressed concern over China's military activities in the region, warning that any escalation could destabilize the broader Asia-Pacific area.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. However, Taiwan, which has its own government and military, sees itself as distinct from the mainland. The latest drills follow a pattern of similar exercises that Beijing conducted earlier this year after Lai was sworn in as president, signaling its disapproval of his pro-independence stance.

The situation continues to raise concerns about the potential for conflict in the region as both sides show no signs of backing down. (ILKHA)