China calls Taiwan president 'parasite' and launches large-scale military drills around island

China's military says it has begun joint army, navy and rocket force exercises around Taiwan.

It said the exercises were intended to "serve as a stern warning and powerful deterrent against Taiwanese independence", and called the self-governed island's president a "parasite".

China considers Taiwan to be its own territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control.

Its military released a poster showing Chinese ships and fighter jets circling the island titled "Closing In" and featuring the words "sinister moves of Taiwan separatists...
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