CHINA ARMY DRILLS THREAT TO REGIONAL STABILITY

Taiwan’s government said Thursday that recent Chinese military drills are aimed at intimidating the island and are a threat to regional peace and stability. China is attempting to “pressure and harass Taiwan and seek to raise tensions between the sides and in the region,” the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council said on its website. “Taiwan’s people are very clear about this and will not accept it. We are determined in our defense of our nation’s sovereignty and dignity and will absolutely not yield to military threats or inducements,” the statement said. Underscoring the heightened tensions between the rivals, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office issued a new warning to Taipei on Thursday against taking further steps toward formal independence. /