Chinese and US defense officials had their first known formal contact since Donald Trump returned to the White House, in a meeting that partially coincided with Beijing conducting large-scale military drills around Taiwan.

The Chinese military has conducted large-scale drills around Taiwan as it again warned the self-ruled island against seeking formal independence.

China staged military drills off Taiwan’s north, south and east coasts on Tuesday as a “stern warning” against separatism and called Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te a

The Chinese aircraft carrier CNS Shandong (17) made its first deployment to the Western Pacific for 2025 and was a major unit in Tuesday’s military drill targeted at intimidating Taiwan Tuesday, according to Beijing officials.

China launched military drills around Taiwan to send a "severe warning" and a message of "forceful containment against Taiwan independence," Beijing officials said.

The People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command announced Wednesday that it wrapped up two days of drills around Taiwan, vowing to maintain combat readiness and prevent any attempts of Taiwanese independence from China.

The Chinese military has announced large-scale drills around Taiwan as it again warned the self-ruled island against seeking formal independence

One analyst called China’s large-scale drills a “pre-invasion operation” as it ramps up attacks on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, calling him a “parasite.”