China begins military drills around Taiwan

China is kicking off its biggest-ever military exercises in the seas around island nation Taiwan following US politician Nancy Pelosi's visit.

The live fire drills began at 12:00 local time (04:00 GMT) and in several areas were due to take place within 12 miles of the island. Taiwan said China was trying to change the status quo in the region.

United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi left Taiwan Wednesday after a trip that defied a series of stark threats from China_ which views the self-ruled island as its territory.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was the highest-profile elected United States official to visit Taiwan in 25 years.

Speaker Pelosi said her presence made it 'unequivocally clear' that the US would 'not abandon' a democratic ally like Taiwan.

It sparked a furious reaction from Beijing_ which vowed 'punishment' and announced military drills in the seas around Taiwan-some of the world's busiest waterways.
The military exercises_ which began around 12 pm (0400 GMT)_ involve 'live-firing'_ according to state media.

'Six major areas around the Taiwan have been selected for this actual combat exercise and during this period_ relevant ships and aircraft should not enter the relevant waters and airspaces_' state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The military drills will take place in multiple zones around Taiwan- at some points within just 20 kilometres of the island's shore-and will conclude at midday on Sunday.

Taiwan's defence ministry said it was closely watching the drills and that the island was prepared for conflict_ but would not seek it.

'The Ministry of National Defence stresses that it will uphold the principle of preparing for war without seeking war_ and with an attitude of not escalating conflict and causing disputes_' it said in a statement.

China's nationalist state-run tabloid Global Times said_ citing military analysts_ that the exercises were 'unprecedented' and that missiles would fly over Taiwan for the first time.

'This is the first time the PLA will launch live long-range artillery across' the Taiwan Strait_ the newspaper said using the Chinese military's formal name_ the People's Liberation Army.

Taiwan has described the exercises as 'an irrational move to challenge the international order'.

The Group of Seven industrialised nations also condemned the military drills_ saying in a statement there was 'no justification to use a visit as pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Strait'.