News brief

Taiwan demands halt of China’s sea activity. Taiwan demanded that China end its ongoing military activity in nearby waters, saying it is unilaterally undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and disrupting international shipping and trade. The Foreign Ministry said Dec. 11 that it was responding in part to the activities of a “large number” of Chinese naval and coast guard ships in the first island chain, which includes Japan, Taiwan, and part of the Philippines. Taiwan defense officials said they have detected Chinese ships off Taiwan and further out. China claims self-governing Taiwan as its territory.

China’s latest drills highlight key strategy to annex Taiwan: Blockade