Taiwan F-16 Locks Chinese J-16 Jet Amid Drills, US Condemns China's Aggression

• China conducted large-scale military exercises near Taiwan, escalating regional tensions.
• Taiwan's F-16 fighter jet successfully tracked and locked onto a Chinese J-16 aircraft, demonstrating its defense capabilities.
• US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott condemned China's drills, urging dialogue and de-escalation.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated the goal of Taiwan's reunification, calling it 'the call of the times'.
• Taiwan's F-16V used an AN AAQ-33 Sniper Pod for a silent lock, showing its ability to inflict damage despite numerical inferiority.

Why It Matters: Taiwan defies China's military pressure with F-16 lock, while US calls for de-escalation.