China Bullies Taiwan Anew With War Games

China sent warships and dozens of fighter jets toward Taiwan over the weekend, the Taiwanese government said, in retaliation for a meeting between the US House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory, Mainichi Japan reported.

Photo Insert: A total of eight warships and 42 warplanes are involved in the latest Beijing bullying of Taiwan.

The Chinese military announced the start of three-day "combat readiness patrols" as a warning to Taiwanese who want to make the island's de facto independence permanent.

The People's Liberation Army gave no indication whether they might include a repeat of previous exercises with missiles fired into the sea, which disrupted shipping and airline flights, the Associated Press (AP) also reported.

A total of eight warships and 42 warplanes are involved in the latest Beijing bullying of Taiwan.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy held talks with President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday in California, adding to a series of foreign lawmakers who have met Tsai to show support in the face of Chinese intimidation.

Beijing responded Friday by imposing a travel ban and financial sanctions against American groups and individuals associated with Tsai's US visit.

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