This year’s 10-day live-fire Han Kuang drills are the longest yet and follow the delivery of a range of new weaponry from tanks to waterborne drones. The drills in Taiwan come as regional tensions and harassment by China and its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are increasing.

Taiwan will simulate a Chinese blockade and invasion of the democratic island in its annual military and civil defence drills next week, as President Lai Ching-te warned on Tuesday the island was already facing China's "war without gun smoke".

The 10- day drills aim to test Taiwan's response to a potential Chinese invasion, with the military, firefighters, police, and civil society all set to take part.Taiwanstarted its annual Han Kuang military exercise on Wednesday,