Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated China's commitment to reunifying with Taiwan, stating nothing can stop it. This follows large-scale military exercises by China's PLA simulating a blockade around Taiwan's main island, involving live-fire drills and close proximity maneuvers. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense described the drills as a threat to regional security and maintained heightened readiness. The exercises occurred after a US arms deal with Taiwan, which China considers its territory, while Taiwan asserts its democratic governance and rejects Beijing's claims.