China’s military held long-range live-fire drills in the East China Sea in an escalation of ongoing drills around Taiwan. China said the exercises around Taiwan were to "serve as a stern warning and powerful deterrent against Taiwanese independence.

The Chinese military staged a second day of exercises around Taiwan on Wednesday, launching live-fire strikes in the East China Sea and practicing blockade operations near crucial shipping lanes to the east and west of the island.

China has wrapped up a round of live-fire exercises that simulates a blockade of Taiwan following fresh tensions with its president and a new report about Washington’s desire to stop Beijing from taking the island.