War Games

China expanded its largest ever military drills around Taiwan on Tuesday, firing rockets into nearby waters and deploying amphibious assault ships, bomber aircraft, and naval destroyers in what Beijing described as a rehearsal for a potential blockade of the island.

The exercises, which Chinese officials say include live fire operations, marked the second day of sweeping maneuvers encircling the democratically governed territory and raised fresh concerns in Taipei about further escalation.

China’s Eastern Theatre Command said the drills would continue until 6 p.m. local time and would affect airspace and waters in five zones surrounding Taiwan. In a video released …