China Taiwan: China rattles its sabre in strait military exercises

Canberra/Taipei | Beijing has ratcheted up tensions in the Taiwan Strait, sending warships to surround the self-ruled island as fighter jets staged mock strikes in a “punishment” after Taiwan’s pro-independence president, Lai Ching-te, took office.

Dozens of fighter jets carried live missiles as China launched two days of joint military drills with its air force, navy, army and rocket force on Thursday.