Taiwan President Lai Ching-te and vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim wave during the inauguration ceremony in president office in Taipei on May 20, 2024. China has launched two days of large-scale military drills surrounding Taiwan in what it called punishment for so-called separatist acts, days after the self-ruling island swore in a new democratically elected leader who called on Beijing to cease its intimidation tactics. As part of the drills, dozens of Chinese fighter jets carrying live ammunition conducted mock strikes against high-value military targets alongside destroyers, frigates and missile speedboats, according to China�s state broadcaster CCTV. The exercises, which started early on Thursday May 23, 2024 and will encircle Taiwan, pose the first real test for newly elected Lai Ching-te as he attempts to manage relations with the island�s powerful authoritarian neighbor. (Jameson Wu/EYEPRESS)