The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Thursday said it successfully conducted “precision missile strikes” in the Taiwan Strait as part of military exercises around the island in the wake of a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“Long-range armed live fire precision missile strikes were carried out on selected targets in the eastern area of the Taiwan Strait," the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command said in a statement on its social media platform.

It added that sea and airspace controls have been lifted after the exercise was completed.

“The expected outcome was achieved," it added.

Taiwan authorities said they had tracked the firing of Dongfeng series missiles beginning around 1.56pm on Thursday which were directed at waters northeast and southwest of the island.

The Xinhua News Agency had reported earlier that the exercises were joint operations focused on “blockade, sea target assault, strike on ground targets, and airspace control.”

The drills are due to end on Sunday and include missile strikes on targets in the seas north and south of the island.

The exercises involve troops from the navy, air force, rocket force, strategic support force and logistic support force, Xinhua reported. (Agencies)