China Flexes Blockade Capabilities Near Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China’s People’s Liberation Army is staging a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan. It’s unleashing live-fire exercises as part of what it calls “Justice Mission 2025” to showcase its ability to deter any external armed support for the self-ruled island that it has long insisted is part of its sovereign territory. The PLA sent destroyers, frigates, fighters and bombers to the waters to the north and south of the island to test its ability in sea-air coordination and blockading. Its ground forces carried out long-range, live-fire drills. Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration was notified that seven temporary “dangerous zones” had been set up, affecting international and domestic air travelers.