Thread by @NBCNews

As Beijing’s military sent missiles and jets over their heads in a display of fury, many residents of Taiwan remained unmoved by what outside observers fear is a rising threat of war. #NBCNewsThreads (1/10) nbcnews.to/3pa6sql

“We grew up with this,” said Rui Hao, a resident of Taipei, the capital, shrugging off the potential for conflict. When he was a boy, his parents considered emigrating from their home in Taiwan to escape the threat of war with China. (2/10)

Chinese officials say it is the U.S. that is trying to change the status quo by strengthening its unofficial relations with Taiwan, a self-ruling island that Beijing claims as its territory. (3/10)

Lee Ming-che was among the human rights activists who met with Speaker Pelosi last week, during the brief visit in which she reiterated Washington’s support for Taiwan. Lee spent five years in a Chinese prison as a political prisoner. (4/10)

“I saw and personally experienced in prison how the Chinese government disregards human rights and the law. And now this kind of country wants to encroach on Taiwan’s democracy and human rights,” Lee said. (5/10)

For generations of people in Taiwan, these security concerns are nothing new. Co-existing with Beijing’s threats is simply part of life, which has carried on across Taiwan this summer as usual. (6/10)

Air raid drills are held regularly in Taiwan, and officials are revising a civil defense handbook that was issued earlier this year. But the island also says it needs continued support from the international community. (7/10)

Asked whether he was worried about China’s actions, President Biden told reporters: “I’m not worried, but I’m concerned that they’re moving as much as they are. But I don’t think they’re going to do anything more.” (8/10)

The Chinese government released a white paper on the “Taiwan question,” its first since 2000, that reiterated its desire for “peaceful reunification.” But it did not rule out the use of force as a “last resort taken under compelling circumstances.” (9/10)

The majority of Taiwan’s almost 24 million people say they have no desire to become a part of China: “How can you expect reunification if even before you come you’re already threatening us like this?” said Li Ao. (10/10)