China launches large military drills around Taiwan to issue ‘severe warning’

China’smilitarylaunchesdrillsaimedatsendingTaiwana“severewarning”againstseekingindependence,officialssay. China’smilitarylaunched large-scaledrillsaroundTaiwanTuesdaytosenda“severewarning”andamessageof“forcefulcontainmentagainstTaiwanindependence,”Beijingofficialssaid.  Taiwan’sMinistryofNationalDefensesaidithadtracked19Chinesenavyvesselsinthewaterssurroundingtheislandina24-hourperiodfrom6a.m.Mondayuntil6a.m.Tuesday.Theexercises–whichinvolvedChinesenavy,air,groundandrocketforces–wereunannounced.  “China’sblatantmilitaryprovocationsnotonlythreatenpeaceintheTaiwanStraitbutalsounderminesecurityintheentireregion,asevidencedbydrillsnearAustralia,NewZealand,Japan,Korea,thePhilippinesandtheSouthChinaSea,”Taiwan’sPresidentialOfficewroteonX.“WestronglycondemnChina’sescalatorybehavior.”  Taiwandefenseofficialsadde