In Taiwan, new President William Lai Ching-te delivered a defiant message to China after he was sworn in earlier today.

President Lai Ching-te: “I also want to urge China to stop intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily and to take on the global responsibility with Taiwan to work hard on maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region, to ensure the world is without the fear of war breaking out.”

In response, Beijing said, “Taiwan independence is a dead end.” China also announced sanctions against a number of U.S. companies “involved in arms sales to Taiwan.”