China starts firing live missiles at targets in the Taiwan Strait

As part of military drills that have brought regional tensions to their highest point in decades

hina claims to have carried out "precise missile strikes" in the Taiwan Strait on Thursday.

China previously said that its navy, air force, and other ministries were conducting military drills

 six zones around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory that may be occupied

The exercises are being held to publicise China's threat to destroy the independent island republic

ere sparked by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island this week. 

Along with its efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan, China has for a long time threatened 

military action in response to the island's efforts to strengthen its de facto independence

with the backing of important allies like the United States.