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

TAIPEI – Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Jan 1 to defend the democratic island’s sovereignty in a New Year’s speech, after China carried out military drills.

Beijing had expressed anger at a planned U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, as well as at Japan’s new leader’s comments that Tokyo could intervene in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.