World War Three fears grow as China ramps up military drills near Taiwan

CHINA ramped up war fears yesterday by extending its huge military drills around Taiwan. President Xi Jinping’s troops exercises near the contested island — in protest at US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit last week — were due to end on Sunday. EPAChina ramped up war fears yesterday by extending its huge military drills around Taiwan[/caption] China’s ominous move effectively blockades TaiwanGetty But China pledged yesterday to continue its live missile firing and drills involving warships, fighter jets and troops. The ominous move effectively blockades Taiwan, as ships struggle to steer clear of military action in the 100-mile wide strait between the island and the Chinese mainland. China claims the island with a booming tech industry hub as its own. It has imposed sanctions on Pelosi and axed defence and climate change talks with the US in protest. Read more on Taiwan HIGH ALERT Chinese warships to ‘rehearse sinking US subs’ in latest Taiwan WW3 drills BATTLE STATIONS Exact way China could overrun Taiwan in DAYS as US faces being 'crushed' Furious Chinese president Xi Jinping ordered the action, ignoring warnings that any miscalculation could trigger a World War Three clash with America. Beijing branded Pelosi’s visit as a “gross interference” in its internal affairs. But US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hit back branding China’s reaction “flagrantly provocative”. Most read in The Sun LEGEND LOST Grease star Olivia Newton-John dies at 73 after breast cancer battle dancefloor goss Strictly Come Dancing signs HUGE 80s pop star as 8th star for 2022 show CHILD'S PAY Hundreds of thousands of parents could have child benefit STOPPED now FEELING HOT Ulrika Jonsson sunbathes topless in bikini as she tops up tan in heatwave ISLAND FEUD Love Island's Millie Court unfollows Ekin-Su after she branded her 'pointless' 'IT WAS LIKE JAWS' Terrified Brit boy, 8, savaged by sharks on holiday in the Bahamas APChinese president Xi ignored warnings that any miscalculation could trigger a World War Three clash with America[/caption]