China is likely to launch military drills this week near Taiwan, using Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's upcoming national day speech as a pretext to pressure the island to accept its sovereignty claims, Taiwanese officials say.
China in May launched "punishment" drills around Taiwan shortly after Lai's inauguration, in what Beijing said was a response to "separatist acts," sending up heavily armed warplanes and staging mock attacks as state media denounced newly inaugurated Lai.
The May drills were dubbed "Joint Sword — 2024A" and drew concerns from capitals including Washington.
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