China on Wednesday commenced military drills around Taiwan’s main island, according to Chinese state media

The drill was announced hours after US House Speaker departed from Taipei following a visit that has rankled Beijing

Live-fire drills began in six identified zones around the island at noon local time, Al Jazeera reported citing China state media

 Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday organized joint combat training exercises in the northern, southwestern and southeastern waters and airspace off Taiwan Island

 The exercises involved troops from the Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Logistic Support Force

It focused on key training sessions including joint blockade, sea target assault, strike on ground targets, and airspace control operation

The joint combat capabilities of the troops got tested in the military operations

Major General Chang Zone-sung of the military’s Kinmen Defense Command said that the Chinese drones came in a pair and flew into the Kinmen area twice on Wednesday night

Taiwan had fired flares in response, Major General Chang Zone-sung further added

Moreover, China has decided to avoid meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Cambodia