Your Tuesday briefing: New Chinese military exercises near Taiwan

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ImageThe Taiwan Coast Guard patrolled Liuqiu Island, a coral island in the Taiwan Strait, on Saturday.Credit...Lam Yik Fei for the New York TimesChina announces more military exercises near Taiwan

Just a day after the end of its largest-ever military exercises near Taiwan, the China announced new operations in the region.

This is a sign that Beijing will maintain its military pressure on Taiwan, and could normalize its presence around the island before to gradually cut off access to its airspace and waters.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said it detected several Chinese warships involved in nearly 40 sorties near the island, including 21 that crossed the informal median line in the Taiwan Strait between the island and the mainland.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Background: Beijing presented military drills as punishment for last week's visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But they also offered a warning to allied countries like Japan, and served as practice for a possible attack.

Background: Xi Jinping, the most powerful leader in China for generations, has made it clear that he views the unification of Taiwan and China as a key goal. He is also keen to project an image of strength ahead of a Communist Party congress scheduled for the fall, where he is expected to be confirmed for a third term.

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