Taiwan's top security official: China tries to 'normalize' military drills near island

Taiwan's top security official told parliament on Monday that China runs 'joint combat readiness patrols' near the democratic island every 7-10 days on average, saying the Chinese forces were trying to 'normalize' drills near Taiwan.

Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen said that Taipei had "close discussions" with international allies on whether a Chinese invasion is imminent and currently tensions across the Taiwan Strait "did not escalate sharply". (Reporting By Yimou Lee; Editing by Kim Coghill)