China fires rockets towards Taiwan in war games simulating blockade

(Reuters)

TAIPEI/BEIJING, Dec 30- China fired rockets toward Taiwan on Tuesday and deployed new amphibious assault ships alongside bomber aircraft and warships to encircle the island on the second day of its most extensive war games aimed at rehearsing a blockade.

The Eastern Theatre Command said live-firing would take place until 6 p.m. (1000 GMT) in the sea and airspace of five locations surrounding Taiwan and off the Chinese coast, while naval and air force units drilled strikes on maritime and aerial targets as well as anti-submarine operations to the democratically governed island’s north and south.

Named “Justice Mission 2025”, the drills began 11 days after the U.S. announced a record $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan and are Beijing’s largest exercises to date by total coverage and proximity to the island, following China’s Maritime Safety Administration on Monday adding two additional live-fire zones.