Taiwan launches live-force military drills with US-made Abrams tanks in counter to escalating Chinese military activity and patrols.

Amid heightened military tensions in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's military commenced 'Lusheng No. 2' tactical confrontation drills on October 14, deploying US-made M1A2T Abrams tanks. These 10-day exercises in Hsinchu and Miaoli aim to prepare for potential cross-strait contingencies. Concurrently, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense tracked 12 Chinese naval vessels and nine military aircraft around the island between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, with some aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line. China also warned Taiwan to 'bear the consequences' after a water cannon incident involving a Chinese fishing boat near the Pratas Islands.