Taiwan said China escalated military pressure around the region in May, deploying dozens of warships and government vessels daily in what it described as an extreme pressure campaign. China sent an average of 50 to 70 vessels per day across the first island chain — a key strategic arc stretching from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines — between May 1 and 27,

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan “could be imminent” Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, has warned, as he claimed Beijing was “credibly preparing” to use military force to upend the “balance of power in the Indo-Pacific”.

Former Cabinet Secretary Simon Case sat down exclusively with ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston. | ITV National News