China conducts second day of military drills around TaiwanListen to this articleTaiwan launched jets after China kicked off the drillsBEIJING - China kicked off a second day of live-fire drills around Taiwan on Tuesday, aimed at simulating a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports and assaults on maritime targets. China claims Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and has refused to rule out using military action to seize the island democracy. - 'Stern warning' -Beijing's military released a poster about Tuesday's drills showing muscular arms -- tattooed in China flags -- gripping hammers and beating the north and south of Taiwan island. China's military last held large-scale drills involving live firing around Taiwan in April -- surprise manoeuvres condemned by Taipei. On Monday afternoon, AFP reporters in Pingtan saw two fighter jets soaring across the sky and a Chinese military vessel in the distance.

Source: Bangkok Post December 30, 2025 06:37 UTC