China stages unannounced Pacific drills in ‘silent intimidation’ of Taiwan, officials say

TAIPEI China carried out a large, unannounced military exercise across ‌the western Pacific and around Taiwan in early November, in what officials in Taipei have ​described as a campaign of “silent intimidation” aimed at pressuring Taiwan and other governments before major international ⁠meetings.

A senior Taiwan security official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said China’s military and coast guard had at one point massed more than 100 vessels in the region early this month, conducting drills that included simulated ‌attacks on other militaries and cities including Taiwan’s.