China launches massive military drills around Taiwan as ‘punishment’ for electing new president

The Chinese military has begun conducting massive military drills encircling Taiwan in "punishment" for the self-governing island's election of a new president this week.

The two days of drills began Thursday, and Taiwan responded by scrambling jets and placing its army and navy on high alert. China now makes common use of military drills to intimidate and harass Taiwan, which it claims is its sovereign territory.

The drills "serve as a strong punishment for the separatist acts of...