The world’s largest maritime law enforcement agency played an unprecedented role in Chinese military drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade of the island.

China has made it clear that it won't hesitate to use military force if Taiwan pushes for independence, signaling an escalation in tensions.

Beijing’s massive military drills around Taiwan on Monday revealed significantly improved coordination between its navy and coastguard, according to observers, who say this could be key to mainland China’s blockade strategy for the island.

China will expand the amount of financing available for housing projects on a “white list” to 4 trillion yuan ($562 billion), officials said Thursday in Beijing's latest moves to reverse a slump in the property industry.

China plans to almost double credit support for “whitelist” housing projects to Rmb4tn ($562bn) as part of official efforts to reinvigorate its property sector and turn around the economy. The whitelist was introduced in January and includes projects and developers eligible to receive further financing from local and state-owned banks to help them complete unfinished projects.

China's Housing Minister Ni Hong, speaking at a briefing, says the government will expand a program to support “white list” property projects to 4 trillion yuan ($562 billion) from about 2.23 trillion yuan already deployed.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, staged a day of large-scale drills around the island on Monday that it said were a warning to "separatist acts" following last week's national day speech by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, staged a day of large-scale drills around the island on Monday

China has said that it seeks a peaceful reunification with Taiwan. But they threatened to never give up the use of force, Reuters reports. “We are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and endeavour.

Intel's China unit said on Thursday it has always prioritised product safety and quality, after an influential Chinese cybersecurity association called for a security review of the U.S. chipmaker's products sold in China.

The Cybersecurity Association of China accused the U.S. chipmaker of threatening national security as well as consumer interests and rights.

A Chinese agency backed by the country’s internet overseer is pushing for an investigation into Intel Corp. products sold domestically, warning of security flaws and high failure rates.