Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Thursday vowed to defend the self-ruled island’s sovereignty in the face of what he termed China’s “expansionist ambitions,” days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire military drills near its shores.

China launches biggest military encirclement of Taiwan in 8 months with live-fire drills, rockets and warships in massive 'Justice Mission 2025' exercise.

China launched live-fire drills around Taiwan that it said would simulate a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports, prompting Taipei to condemn Beijing's "military intimidation."

The Chinese military says it dispatched air, navy and missile units for a second day to conduct joint live-fire drills around Taiwan to warn against what it calls separatist and “external interference” forces.

Beijing banned two Taiwanese ministers from entering China for alleged separatist activities related to Taiwan independence on Wednesday, prompting an angry response from Taipei, which said it would not bow to "threats and intimidation.