The 41st Han Kuang exercise is taking place against a backdrop of heightened tensions with China, which claims Taiwan as its own and has vowed to unify with it—by force, if necessary. This year's live-fire component is the longest ever, reflecting the seriousness with which Taipei views the threat.

Taiwan's military conducted a drill on Tuesday. It simulated defense against a potential Chinese invasion. The Wanpan Bridge in Taipei was shut down for the exercise. Troops built a four-layer blockade.

The Philippines discreetly bolsters defense ties with Taiwan due to Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Under President Marcos Jr.'s new policy, military and academic engagements have increased.

While India's S. Jaishankar and China's Wang Yi "said the right things," analysts say nothing has changed for the regional rivalry.

Dozens of troops with Stinger missiles, machine guns, and grenade launchers were filmed riding the subway and practicing movement in stations.

Manila’s significant shift could pave the way for the Philippines, an American treaty ally, to play a bigger role in regional defense if China invades Taiwan.

Officials of Taiwan's ruling party criticized China for announcing activation of air route over strait, thus reducing Taipei's air defense depth and warning time - Anadolu Ajansı

The percentage of Taiwanese businesses investing in China has been steadily declining since 2010 due to increased costs, the US-China trade war and the slowdown of China’s economic development, Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) spokesperson Li Pao-wen (黎寶文) said.

Momentum is building in Taiwan to lessen its business dependency on China, its biggest trading partner. Doing so will not be easy.

With Beijing likely to rely on asymmetric capabilities rather than landing soldiers to invade, America can help siege-proof the island democracy.