Chinese state media is describing these military drills as a response to Monday’s inaugural speech by Taiwan’s new President William Lai. It is condemning him in very strident terms.
In his speech, Lai called on China to stop threatening Taiwan and called for peace across the strait.
China Central Television described Mr Lai’s speech as a “complete confession of Taiwan independence” and that it was “extremely harmful” to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called his speech a ”complete disgrace”.
However, retired military officers say such large-scale military drills will have been planned well in advance of Monday’s inauguration. Military exercises on this scale take months to prepare.
Nor has this response come as a surprise to Taiwan’s new government. Unnamed sources say the scenario being played out is one they have prepared for.