The Chinese military has released a video showing the launch of rockets possibly capable of targeting Taiwan. It carried out drills around Taiwan on Wednesday for a second day.



The Chinese military said the drills, dubbed "Strait Thunder 2025A," were conducted in central and southern parts of the Taiwan Strait. It said it was testing its naval blockade and precision strike capabilities.



The military also released a video of what it said were long-range live-fire drills in the East China Sea.



Some Taiwanese media reported that the footage may have shown a multiple rocket launcher capable of reaching Taiwan's main island.



The Chinese military said its Shandong aircraft carrier has been deployed to waters off Taiwan's east coast. It said the naval and air forces confirmed a joint naval blockade and cooperation across the "island chain." China considers this a defensive line against the United States.



Taiwan's defense ministry confirmed as of Wednesday afternoon it had spotted 31 vessels, including those of the Shandong group and China Coast Guard, as well as 27 fighters, drones and other Chinese aircraft, around Taiwan.



China's state-run media said Wednesday's drills mark a change from the previous day's and send an important message from the military.



The latest drills are an apparent warning to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Party, which Beijing regards as a pro-independence force.