Tensions heighten in Taiwan Strait as China acts to extend military operations

Xi Jinping signs trial order allowing military operations other than war' beyond China's borders

China's president, Xi Jinping, has signed legal orders allowing a trial of military operations beyond China's borders amid heightened tensions over claims by China's foreign ministry that the Taiwan Strait is Chinese territorial water.

Official state media reports published this week were light on detail but said Xi had signed orders announcing trial outlines on military operations other than war". It said the trials would begin on Wednesday.