Taiwan Holds Air Exercises due to Rising Tensions with China

Roads were cleared and residents were ordered to stay at home in parts of Taiwan, including the capital, Taipei, on Monday for aerial drills.

The island-state is stepping up its preparations in anticipation of a Chinese attack.

Today's exercises coincided with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian who renewed the warning of US officials about the possible visit of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

He said in a press statement that the Chinese side will take "strong" measures if the visit takes place.

"It is necessary to prepare for the state of war," Taipei Mayor Koo Win Ji said in a speech after overseeing the exercises.

It is worth noting that  China claims that Taiwan, which is democratically administered, is part of its territory, and has never ruled out the seizure of the island by force.