Taiwan government says China launches ballistic missiles during military exercises

China launched “complications” Ballistic missiles are in the waters off Taiwan on Thursday as part of its military exercisesTaiwan’s Defense Ministry said what it described as “irrational acts that undermine regional peace”.

“The Chinese Communist Party fired several Dongfeng ballistic missiles into waters around northeastern and southwestern Taiwan at about 1:56 p.m. (local time),” the Defense Ministry said in a brief statement.

In a show of force, the Chinese government decided to conduct its largest military exercises in decades around Taiwan after a visit to the island US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The live shooting exercises began around 12:00 p.m. (local time) and will run for three days until the same time on Sunday, August 7, according to state-run CCTV.

“Six major areas across the island have been selected for this combat exercise, during which time ships and aircraft will not be able to enter the air and sea spaces,” CCTV added.

Pelosi left Taiwan on Wednesday at the end of a visit that lasted less than 24 hours and angered Beijing, which considers the island part of its territory.

The Speaker of the House, second in the presidential line of succession, is the most senior US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years.

Pelosi emphasized that her presence was to “make clear and unequivocally” that the United States “will not give up” on Taiwan.

In response, China promised to punish those who offended it and announced military exercises in the waters around Taiwan, which include some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

On Pingtan, a Chinese island located near the exercise area, AFP journalists at about 1:13 p.m. (local time) saw several unidentified projectiles flying in the sky, followed by white smoke.

Tourists who were on the beach of this popular island witnessed the shooting. A short time ago, military helicopters flew over the area towards the Taiwan Strait.