China says it has carried out naval and aerial military drills near Taiwan, in response to “external interference and provocations”.
Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent months, as a way of discouraging independence.
China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, and wants to eventually bring it under mainland control.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army says it dispatched warships, anti-submarine aircraft, and fighter jets on Tuesday to carry out live-fire drills.
An Army spokesperson says the exercises took place “in the surrounding sea and airspace in the southwest and southeast of Taiwan”. It’s unclear just how close to Taiwan the drills were.
China claims the latest exercise “is a necessary action based on the current security situation across the Taiwan Strait”.
Chinese state media’s warning to Taiwan
Tuesday’s drills follow the fall of Kabul, which led to Chinese state media claiming the United States will abandon Taiwan like Afghanistan.
“From what happened in Afghanistan, [Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party] should perceive that once a war breaks out in the Straits, the island’s defense will collapse in hours and the US military won’t come to help,” the editorial by the Global Times states.
The Global Times claims that “as a result, the DPP authorities will quickly surrender, while some high-level officials may flee by plane.”
Taiwan’s Premier today insisted that Taiwan would not collapse like Afghanistan in the event of an attack.
“We must guard this country and this land, and not be like certain people who always talk up the enemy’s prestige and talk down our resolve,” Premier Su Tseng-chang said.
Search Generative Experience (SGE), is the latest innovation from Google Labs
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The world’s biggest battery maker announced this week they’re working with Tesla to making cheaper batteries.
Recent developments in the electric vehicle (EV) market raise essential questions about its trajectory.
Cost cuts by the world’s largest battery maker could impact EV prices, potentially boosting their competitiveness. Meanwhile, advancements in mileage, power, and charging times are driving increased adoption.
However, considerations about downsides like battery disposal and resource extraction are pertinent. Nonetheless, the broader implications for climate change efforts and the automotive industry underscore the transformative potential of EVs in creating a more sustainable future.
Apple has announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will be held from June 10.
The event, which is pivotal for developers and Apple enthusiasts alike, will take place online for the second consecutive year due to the ongoing global pandemic.
WWDC serves as a platform for Apple to unveil its latest software updates across its various products, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. #ticker today #featured