In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Ministry of National Defense is condemning China's holding of drills in
the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan proper - describing Beijing's actions as
being "irrational and provocative behavior."

According to the ministry, troops have been deployed in accordance with
regulations related to the an Emergency Response during the Period of Regular
War Readiness in order to protect and defend the sovereignty of the Republic
of China.

The statement comes after China's Eastern Theater Command earlier this
morning announced that its army, navy, air force and rocket forces are
conducting "Joint Sword-2024B" drills in the Taiwan Strait and the north,
south and east of Taiwan.

According to a spokesperson for the theater command, the drills involve
vessels and planes closing in on the island from multiple directions and
assaults by joint forces .. ..

.... and focus on joint sea-air combat readiness patrol, the blockade and
control of key ports and areas, strikes on sea and land targets, and the
seizure of comprehensive battlefield control.

Defense officials had said Beijing could launch another round of military
drills in response to President Lai Ching-te's National Day address last
Thursday.

The defense ministry is defending Lai's National Day address - saying he
highlighted the current status of cross-Strait relations and also proposed
future cross-Strait cooperation in addressing climate change and epidemic
prevention, and jointly pursuing peace and common prosperity ...

... and it's calling Beijing's provocation "completely contrary to the facts."