Taiwan holds military drills

Taiwan conducted military drills featuring missiles and drones on Friday ahead of the U.S.-China summit next week.

China claims Taiwan as province

China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, as its own breakaway province and hasn’t renounced the use of force to bring it under control.

First joint drone exercises

Taiwan’s military drills included for the first time joint combat exercises featuring multiple types of attack drones.

President Lai’s statement

President Lai Ching-te said the drills showcased the Taiwanese army’s modernization, stating the coordinated use of unmanned vehicles with conventional weapons reflects adaptation to modern warfare.

“The coordinated use of unmanned vehicles with conventional weapons reflects the adaptation to modern warfare”

Drills include missiles

The military also launched multiple anti-air, anti-ship and anti-landing missiles as part of the exercises.

U.S. arms sales impact

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been at the center of talks between Trump and Xi, with Trump postponing a planned $14 billion arms package to Taiwan after their last summit in May.