China began joint army, navy and rocket force exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday as a "stern warning" against separatism and called Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te a "parasite," as Taiwan sent warships to respond to China's navy approaching its coast.

Live from Hsinchu Air Base in Taiwan after the Chinese military announced large-scale drills in the waters and airspace around the self-ruled island. Read more here:

Live from Hsinchu Air Base in Taiwan after China launched a combined military drill around the island

China launched massive surprise military drills around Taiwan days after the US defense secretary on a trip to Asia pledged to counter Chinese “aggression.” Beijing said its army, navy, and air forces surrounding Taiwan was a “stern warning” to the self-ruling island’s leaders — which Chinese state media called “parasites” who were seeking independence for Taiwan,

China has kicked off large-scale military and coastguard exercises around Taiwan, the latest round in Beijing’s escalating campaign to assert its claims of sovereignty and suppress the island nation’s efforts to preserve its de facto independence.

The Chinese military held drills around Taiwan as a "severe warning" and a signal of "forceful containment against Taiwan independence."