China is likely to launch military drills in the coming days near Taiwan, using President Lai Ching-te's upcoming trip to the Pacific and scheduled U.S. transit as a pretext, according to assessments by Taiwan and regional security officials.

China deployed military aircraft and ships to track and monitor a US Navy plane as it was transiting the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, as Beijing said it was on "high alert"

The American reconnaissance aircraft P-8A Poseidon flew over the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, prompting an immediate reaction from the Chinese military. In response, China scrambled fighter jets and urged the U.