Taiwan president calls China's military drills "irresponsible" as ships remain around country

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen criticized China on Tuesday for its three days of military drills, which saw aircraft and naval carriers practice various simulations of precision attacks and a blockade around the independent island nation. "This is not a responsible attitude for a major country in the region," Tsai said in an address to the country.

The drills began after Tsai returned to the country from a visit abroad, which saw her meet U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, marking the first meeting by a Taiwan leader with a top U.S. official on American soil in decades. Beijing, which considers Taiwan as part of China, had resoundingly criticized the move by Tsai and had warned the U.S. not to allow her to meet with McCarthy or other officials.

Taiwanese residents expressed their concerns about avoiding war, though appeared unfazed by the drills. While those in Shanghai expressed mixed opinions on the drills, with some feeling new leadership in Taiwan that "promotes peace and development" in the Taiwan Strait could mean an end to the drills. Others, however, felt China should "not be too ruthless" to "compatriots."

European Union and other nations' leaders also expressed their concerns over the drills, with Japan's defence minister calling the actions "intimidating training."