Military drills around the coast of Taiwan continue as planned said the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in a statement shared via their WeChat channel on Friday.

The statement read that "On August 5, the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command continued joint combat exercises in the sea and air space north, southwest, and east of the island of Taiwan in accordance with the plan."

The People's Liberation Army's largest-ever military exercises encircling Taiwan kicked off Thursday, August 4, after a visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The exercises are taking place in various zones encircling Taiwan, including some within 20 kilometers of the island's shore, and are set to conclude at midday on Sunday.

The Chinese foreign ministry announced on Friday that China will impose sanctions on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her close relatives in response to her provocative visit to Taiwan, a move that Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov named an act of lawlessness by Washington.

Following the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, China imposed restrictions on the purchase of fruit and seafood from Taiwan, as well as stopping sand supplies to the island. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, on Thursday, July 4, that the Chinese military drills off the coast of Taiwan were a warning to separatists but will not harm those who oppose the island's independence.

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