The Chinese military says it dispatched air, navy and missile units for a second day to conduct joint live-fire drills around Taiwan to warn against what it calls separatist and “external interference” forces.

China’s military mobilized army, navy, air and rocket units around Taiwan for two days of military drills aimed at sending a “serious warning” against any push for Taiwanese independence and “external” forces interfering with the island.

China says the drills are a stern warning to pro-independence forces, but they look a lot like a practice run.

China has launched new large-scale military exercises in the “middle areas” of the Taiwan Strait, signaling a sharp escalation in pressure on Taiwan. The move comes amid rising diplomatic tensions with the United States and Japan.

The drills, which would continue on Tuesday, involve live firing, simulated strikes on land and maritime targets, and exercises to blockade the island's main ports and encircle it.

Military carries out live firing around Taiwan, says more drills on Tuesday will simulate blockade of island's ports.

Kadena Air Base has hosted American fighter aircraft from the U.S. mainland, Alaska, Hawaii and Germany since November 2022.

Beijing’s military launched a massive simulated blockade of Taiwan, sending a warning to the independent island after the U.S. approved an $11 billion arms sale.