On Thursday morning, China launched two days of high-scale military drills around Taiwan. China claims these are punishment for Taiwan’s “separatist acts,” as they have recently sworn in a new president, denying Chinese control. Throughout history, Taiwan and China have constantly had conflicts over who has control over the island. However, the newly elected president Lai Ching-te vowed to keep Taiwan and its democracy safe from China, with his party being heavily anti-Chinese government control.

China’s response to the president’s vow was the military drills, which consisted of 30 Chinese aircraft, 16 coast guards and 15 navy vessels, all located along the Taiwan strait and their neighboring islands. The attacks, starting at 7:45 a.m. in Taiwan, have been organized to practice blockade of Taiwanese forces and “send a stern warning.”

To lower the concerns of the people with these “drills,” China has released multiple propaganda videos as well as posters to glorify the use of weapons. 

Taiwan does not seem to be in a state of panic, because the military and officials had been expecting China to launch some form of attack after the president’s inauguration. They have not yet shown force in response to China’s occupation and it may be days until China leaves.