In a statement on the Chinese platform Weibo, China’s military writes that the new exercises aim to train the soldiers to carry out anti-submarine attacks and sea raids. Earlier, Beijing claimed that the record-breaking exercise would end on Sunday.
The exercise began on Thursday, the day after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial visit to Taiwan earlier this week.
“The People’s Liberation Army continued to conduct practical joint exercises and training in the sea and air around the island of Taiwan, focusing on organizing joint anti-submarine and naval attack operations,” the Chinese military said in a statement.
Analysts have warned that the drills show a Chinese army capable of carrying out a blockade of Taiwan and preventing the US military from coming to the rescue.
See images from the exercise in the player above.