Three days after the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, China has begun a major military exercise apparently to simulate a blockade around the island. “This is also a severe punishment for the separatist forces of Taiwan independence and a serious warning against interference and provocation by outside forces,” Chinese naval Colonel Li Xi said on Thursday. The Taiwanese Defence Ministry said that it had detected at least 15 Chinese navy vessels, 16 Chinese coastguard ships, and more than 40 warplanes around the island. More than 35 Chinese military aircraft were spotted crossing the media…