China launches ballistic missiles during Taiwan drills

AUG 4: China has launched several ballistic missiles into waters around Taiwan's north-east and south-west coasts, Taiwan says.

The launches are part of live fire military drills - China's biggest-ever in the region - around the island.

This follows top US Democrat Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to Taipei in the face of warnings from Beijing.

Some of the affected areas are just 12 miles off the island - the closest Beijing's military exercises have ever come.

Taiwan says the move, which stops ships and planes from using the space, violates its sovereignty and amounts to a blockade.

China sees self-ruled Taiwan - which lies 100 miles from the mainland - as a breakaway province that will eventually be under its control.

This comes at a time when US-China tensions have been growing.