CHINA launched unprecedented live fire military drills as close as 12 miles from Taiwan's shores this morning - as the island's defenders opened fire at suspected Beijing drones.

The Asian powerhouse kicked off its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan on Thursday in a show of force straddling vital international shipping lanes.

Taiwan has been on high alert as China conducts a series of war games in response to a visit by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Polosi to the island this week.

Beijing vowed "punishment" and announced military drills in the seas around Taiwan - some of the world's busiest waterways.

The war game drills began at 12 pm (0400 GMT) on Thursday and involved "live-firing", according to Chinese state media.

"Six major areas around the island have been selected for this actual combat exercise and during this period, relevant ships and aircraft should not enter the relevant waters and airspaces," state broadcaster CCTV reported.

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China opens FIRE just 12 miles from Taiwan as enormous military drills ‘blockade’ island and defenders ‘blast drones’
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