China Escalates Military Drills Around Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions

China has launched a new round of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, code-named 'Strait Thunder-2025', as a warning against what it calls separatist movements on the island. These drills come in response to Taiwan's pro-independence leadership and increased U.S. military cooperation with Japan aimed at countering Chinese aggression. The exercises involve air and naval forces and are part of a pattern of escalating military pressure by Beijing. The U.S. has issued a warning to China, urging restraint and reaffirming its support for Taiwan. The situation underscores growing regional tensions and the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait.