China launches missiles around Taiwan in largest live-fire military drills ever

The Chinese army launched multiple ballistic missiles into waters around Taiwan on Thursday as China's largest ever military drills encircling the island began.

"The Ministry of National Defence stated that the Chinese Communist Party fired multiple Dongfeng series ballistic missiles into the surrounding waters of northeastern and southwestern Taiwan from approximately 13:56 this afternoon," the Taiwanese defence ministry said in a brief statement.

China's military has kicked off unprecedented war games as Beijing ramps up its intimidation campaign against the self-ruled island following Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s visit.