China starts drills around Taiwan to warn against external interference

BEIJING - The Chinese military said Monday it has started drills around Taiwan involving its army, navy, air and rocket force troops as a "stern warning" against separatists seeking the island's independence and external interference.

The "Justice Mission 2025" follows the U.S. approval earlier this month of a potential sale of weapons and related equipment worth more than $11 billion to Taiwan. An ongoing diplomatic row between Beijing and Tokyo over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on a contingency surrounding the territory also contributed to tensions.