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.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported an increase in Chinese military activity around the island, detecting 17 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, seven PLAN vessels operating in the vicinity of Taiwan as of 6am on Wednesday.

Mr Lai will start a visit to Taipei's three diplomatic allies in the Pacific on Nov 30. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released and are returning to the United States, the White House said Wednesday, announcing a diplomatic agreement with Beijing in the final months of the Biden administration.

Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released and are returning to the United States, the White House said Wednesday, announcing a diplomatic agreement with Beijing in

China is releasing three Americans who were "wrongfully detained," a National Security Council spokesperson says.

Dong is the third Chinese defense chief in less than two years to be snagged in Xi Jinping's anti-corruption net.