**Chinese Military Drills Simulated Blockade of Taiwan, Beijing Shows Force After Xi-Biden Talks**
**Beijing, China** – The Chinese military conducted large-scale military exercises near Taiwan on Thursday and Friday, simulating a blockade of the island and showcasing Beijing’s growing military capabilities. The drills, which included live-fire exercises and the deployment of various military assets, were the latest in a series of increasingly aggressive actions by China toward Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory..
The exercises came just days after a virtual summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, during which the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including Taiwan. The summit was seen as an attempt to ease tensions between the two countries, but the subsequent military drills have cast doubt on whether any meaningful progress was made..
The Chinese military exercises were conducted in six zones around Taiwan, effectively blockading the island and preventing any ships or aircraft from entering or leaving. The drills included the firing of live missiles, the deployment of fighter jets, bombers, and warships, and the participation of amphibious landing forces..
Taiwan’s defense ministry condemned the exercises as a .
