Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te watched live-fire drills with U.S.-made Abrams M1A2T tanks Thursday, as part of major annual exercises aimed at boosting the island's ability to fend off threats from China.

Expanded Han Kuang Exercise is simulating a prolonged PLA attack with a ‘scenario-driven, no spoiler’ approach, officials say.

Taiwan unveiled its new U.S.-sourced M1A2T Abrams tanks, illustrating their capabilities during military exercises aimed at showcasing the island's defense readiness against possible Chinese aggression.

China claims Taiwan as its own despite Taipei's objections. The United States does not recognize Taiwan's statehood but has political and economic stakes in a peaceful resolution to the decades-long dispute, and is obliged by U.S. law to help Taipei arm itself against a possible attack.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan (馬士元) said Wednesday that an urban resilience exercise will be carried out from July 15-18.

The annual 10-day Han Kuang exercise will test Taiwan’s ability to respond to a Chinese attack on its command structure.

China has imposed export controls on eight companies tied to Taiwan’s military as the self-ruled island began annual military exercises.