Beijing makes it clear that there is absolutely no space for separatism

As a tried and true radical secessionist, Taiwan's new administrative head Lai Chingte will have known just how provocative his inauguration speech was.

He will therefore know that he is responsible for Beijing having to signal its resolve to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity by force if necessary.

The People's Liberation Army commenced a military drill around the island shortly after Lai delivered his "pro-independence" peppered speech at his inauguration in Taipei on Monday.