China gears for live-fire drills around Taiwan

China is set to launch massive, live-ammunition military drills encircling Taiwan on Thursday. 

The show of force around vital international shipping lanes — disrupting 18 international routes, according to Taiwan — comes after a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi, the highest-ranking politician to visit the self-ruled island in 25 years, had defied Beijing’s threats of repercussions to the trip. 

What we know about the drills 

According to Chinese state media,…