China kicked off a second day of live-fire drills around Taiwan this week, aimed at simulating a blockade of the self-ruled island’s key ports.

China has begun a large-scale, multi-branch military exercise around Taiwan, underscoring Beijing’s long-standing claim that the island is an inseparable part of its territory. The drills, launched on Monday and code-named “Justice Mission 2025,

China's military has increased its presence in Taiwan's skies and waters in the past few years, conducting drills on a near-daily basis near the island nation.

China's Military buildup has left the United States increasingly vulnerable, according to the Pentagon's latest China Military Power Report 2025. As per the report, PLA Navy growth, space weapons, and cyber capabilities pose direct threats to US forces in the Western Pacific.

This follows joint drills by Chinese and Russian strategic bombers and fighters on Tuesday that prompted Japan and South Korea to scramble planes to monitor them.

Dozens of lawmakers foresee a surge in tensions over trade, Taiwan or supply chain disruptions possibly scuttling the current pause in US-China economic hostilities.