The military drills held by China in the waters surrounding Taiwan are being used by Beijing to "to try to scare other countries away from engaging" with the island, Taipei-based political analyst Wen-ti Sung tells AFP. The drills, which have ended according to Chinese state media, were launched three days after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te took office and made an inauguration speech that Beijing denounced as a "confession of independence". SOUNDBITES