China's defense ministry has put its military on high alert and will launch 'targeted military operations' in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
Separately, the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command said it would conduct joint military operations near Taiwan starting Tuesday night.
The exercises included joint air and sea exercises in the north, southwest and southeast of Taiwan, as well as long-range firing in the Taiwan Strait and a missile test launch in the east Taiwan sea.
Local news agency Xinhua reported that the Chinese military will conduct live fire drills and other exercises around Taiwan from August 4 to 7.
Meanwhile in a separate report, Japan's defense ministry claimed that three Russian ships had been spotted near the Taiwan islands joined by China amid heightened tensions.
China has been warning Pelosi for weeks not to come to Taiwan, which Beijing considers its territory.
Pelosi, who arrived safely on Tuesday night, began her controversial visit on Wednesday with a speech at the president's office in Taipei alongside President Tsai Ing-wen.
In a speech to the media and officials, Pelosi said her purpose in going to the island was to make it clear that the US would stand by its commitment not to leave Taiwan.
