As it happened: China fires missiles in largest military drills around Taiwan after Pelosi's visit
China fired ballistic missiles and deployed fighter jets and warships on Thursday (Aug 4) as it began its largest military exercises around Taiwan, a show of force sparked by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island.
A series of military exercises were mounted in multiple zones around the island, straddling some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and at some points just 20km from Taiwan's shore.
Five ballistic missiles fired by China were believed to have landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japanese defence minister Nobuo Kishi said on Thursday evening.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
- China scolds G7 foreign ministers over Taiwan statement
- Taiwan decries China's 'illegitimate, irresponsible' live-fire military drills
- China's Taiwan war games threaten more global supply chain disruption
Here is a recap of the day's events: