China has conducted military drills around Taiwan for a second day focusing on the Taiwan Strait separating the self-governing island democracy from China that is a crucial conduit for international trade.

China's military concluded two-day war games around Taiwan in which it held long-range, live-fire drills in the East China Sea, marking an escalation of exercises around the island.

The People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command announced Wednesday that it wrapped up two days of drills around Taiwan, vowing to maintain combat readiness and prevent any attempts of Taiwanese independence from China.

The Chinese military staged a second day of exercises around Taiwan on Wednesday, launching live-fire strikes in the East China Sea and practicing blockade operations near crucial shipping lanes to the east and west of the island.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Wednesday ahead of an announcement of sweeping import tariffs by the United States that the island is an "indispensable" member of the global supply chain and it would defend its companies' interests.

The People's Liberation Army said Wednesday it had carried out live-fire strikes on targets simulating Taiwanese infrastructure.

The chip companies in Taiwan, the center of the global supply chain, are expected to face pressure from Washington to invest more in the U.S.

U.S. partnership is a driver of shared economic prosperity and central to supply chain security and stability in the region, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan said on Thursday after U.S. tariffs were announced.

The barges, which link up to form a bridge, could give China a way to land large numbers of vehicles and troops on Taiwan, solving a major logistical problem.