Backdrop Chinese President Xi Jinping is seeking to hide his humiliation over US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Xi's premature and unjustifiable warning to the US about the visit caused him embarrassment, and Pelosi's purposeful visit after the warning not only hyped it, but humiliated him.

Escalating big power contest on Taiwan: Can it lead to war?

Japan is considering the deployment of long-range cruise missiles to counter threats from China. Media reports in Japan said the missiles would be deployed in Nansei islands close to North Korea and China.

Japan may deploy 1,000 long-range missiles to counter China: Report

As China halted cooperation with the United States over key issues including climate change over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Chinese missiles flew over Taiwan on the second day of military drills as tensions mounted in the region.

Chinese missiles fly over Taiwan; fighter jets cross 'median line'

As the Chinese drills near Taiwan entered the third day on Saturday, Taiwan's defence ministry claimed the communist regime has been "simulating attack" on its main island.

Amid military drills, Taiwan says China 'simulating attack'

Eye on Pacific: Why China is testing anti-ship ballistic missiles in Xinjiang desert