TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) 鈥� China was holding large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan and its outlying islands Monday.
China鈥檚 Defense Ministry said the drills were a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te鈥檚 refusal to concede to Beijing鈥檚 demands that Taiwan acknowledge itself as a part of the People鈥檚 Republic of China under the rule of the Communist Party.
Taiwan鈥檚 Defense Ministry called the drills a provocation and said its forces were prepared to respond.
The Associated Press
