China to begin series of unprecedented live-fire drills off Taiwan coast

Island accuses Beijing of planning to breach sovereign territory in wake of controversial visit by Nancy Pelosi

China is to begin a series of unprecedented live-fire drills that would effectively blockade the island of Taiwan, just hours after the departure of US House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, whose controversial visit this week has sparked fears of a crisis in the Taiwan strait.

Taiwan has characterised the drills, which will last until Sunday afternoon - and will include missile tests and other military operations" as close as nine miles to Taiwan's coastline - as a violation of international law.