China Threatens to Block U.S. Arms Ships Near Taiwan as Military Drills Rage

China's military has begun a second day of large-scale exercises around Taiwan, simulating strikes on maritime targets. The drills include live-fire exercises to the north and south of the island. Simultaneously, China's coastguard issued a direct threat. In a poster released Tuesday, it warned it could block cargo ships transporting U.S.-made weapons to Taiwan. The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command stated the exercises involve simulated attacks, as well as anti-air and anti-submarine operations. These actions are widely seen as a response to what China calls "separatist activities" by Taiwan's government. Taiwan, which governs itself, has consistently rejected China's sovereignty claims. It has placed its military on alert and condemned the drills as a threat to regional stability. The exercises and the new threat to intercept ships mark a significant escalation in tensions. They underscore Beijing's determination to oppose both Taiwan's independence and foreign military support for the island.