Taiwan says it is prepared in the face of recent Chinese threats of "forceful measures" if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi follows through with her widely reported and hugely controversial planned visit to Taipei to meet with Taiwan's leaders. The democratic-run island held large-scale air raid drills on Monday.

Fox News reports that the drills took place across the island, with both a military and civilian response component. "Sirens could be heard blaring in Taipei, the nation's capital city, signaling residents to evacuate the streets for 30 minutes," the report details. "The country also tested its missile warning system, which sends mass text messages to residents in the event of incoming attacks." The emergency preparedness drills will last five days, and simulate a Chinese PLA military invasion.