China has launched rockets in the Taiwan Strait as part of a second day of live-fire military drills around the self-ruled island, escalating tensions in the region. The exercises, involving both the Chinese military and coast guard vessels, were visible from Pingtan, the closest Chinese point to Taiwan’s main island.

The drills come amid ongoing disputes over Taiwan’s sovereignty and reflect Beijing’s continued demonstration of military capability in contested waters. According to observers, Chinese coast guard vessels operated alongside missile launches, signaling a coordinated display of maritime and missile strength intended to pressure Taipei.

While the Chinese government frames these exercises as routine, analysts warn that repeated live-fire drills near Taiwan heighten the risk of miscalculation, potentially affecting regional security and international shipping lanes. Taiwan’s defense forces reportedly monitored the maneuvers closely, emphasizing readiness in response to any threats in their maritime airspace.

The timing of the drills coincides with increasing U.S. and allied attention to the region, highlighting the strategic importance of the Taiwan Strait in global trade and military posture. Experts say these operations serve both domestic messaging for Beijing and strategic signaling to foreign powers observing Taiwan’s security.