China Holds Military Drills Near Taiwan as Biden Struggles With Afghanistan Withdrawal

China deployed warships and fighter jets near Taiwan on Tuesday, testing U.S. resolve as the Biden administration struggles to retrieve thousands of Americans who remain in Afghanistan. Beijing conducted drills intended to advance Chinese “air supremacy” over Taiwan, according to a Taiwanese defense official. The drills included 11 Chinese aircraft, including advanced fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers. The People’s Liberation Army said it conducted the drills to protect “China’s sovereignty.” The Chinese Communist Party claims Taiwan, an independent country, is a part of China. “[The U.S. and Taiwan] repeatedly colluded in provocation and sent serious wrong signals, severely infringing upon…