China simulates attack on Taiwan on second day of military drills

China's military simulated precision strikes on Taiwan on the second day of exercises around the island on Sunday, while Taiwan's defence ministry said several sorties had been carried out and were monitoring Chinese missile forces.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory and began three days of military exercises around the island on Saturday, a day after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a brief visit to the United States.

Chinese state television reported that combat readiness patrols and exercises around Taiwan would continue.

"Under the consolidated order issued by the Joint Theater Command Center, several types of units have carried out simulated joint precision strikes on key targets on Taiwan Island and surrounding maritime areas, and will remain on the offensive around the island," he said.

A source familiar with the security situation in the region told Reuters China was simulating air and sea attacks on "foreign military targets" off Taiwan's southwestern coast.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, added: "Taiwan is not their only target ... It's very provocative."

Taiwan's defence ministry said it had spotted 58 Chinese aircraft, including Su-30 fighter jets and H-6 bombers, as well as nine ships around the island as of midday on Sunday.

The ministry said it pays special attention to the People's Liberation Army missile force, which is responsible for China's missile system on the ground.

"Regarding the movements of the Chinese Communist Missile Force, the country's military also has a close understanding of the Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JIS) system, and the air defense forces remain on high alert," the ministry said.

Taiwanese forces "will not escalate conflicts or cause conflicts" and will respond "appropriately" to China's exercises, she said.

The security source said about 20 military vessels, half Chinese and half Taiwan, were face-to-face near the middle line of the Taiwan Strait, but did not act provocatively. The middle line has been an informal separation between the two parties for years.

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong is now more than 400 nautical miles off the coast of southeast Taiwan and is conducting drills, the source said. Taiwan has been monitoring the aircraft carrier since last week.

Zhao Xiaozhou of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences told China's state-backed Global Times newspaper that this was the first time China had spoken publicly about simulating attacks on targets in Taiwan.

The report quoted Zhao as saying that key targets would include infrastructure such as airstrips, military logistics facilities and mobile targets "to be wiped out in one fell swoop if necessary."