China draws 'sword' against supporters of Taiwan br br "Joint Sword", the three-day Chinese air and sea drills simulating an encirclement of Taiwan was intended as a “serious warning” to pro-independence politicians on the self-governing island and their foreign supporters, China said Wednesday, April 12, 2023. It was in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California last week.