China’s military announced combat readiness exercises around Taiwan as a warning against Taiwanese separatist forces and those collaborating with foreign entities. That follows the visit of Taiwanese vice president Lai to the US during his trip to Paraguay, one of Taiwan’s few diplomatic allies. Taiwan has condemned China’s military actions and has initiated defense measures in response. The tensions between the two have surged, especially after Lai’s US visit, with China accusing Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of conspiring with the US.