China launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels around Taiwan for a second day of live-fire drills aimed at simulating a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports and assaults on maritime targets.

US Senator Roger Wicker said on X (formerly Twitter) that Beijings actions showed intensifying preparations against Taiwan, highlighting the Peoples Liberation Armys ability to enforce a blockade and the Chinese Communist Partys capacity to pressure Taipei.