The drills were the latest show of force by China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has protested Western support for the island.

China's Maritime Safety Administration warned boats to avoid venturing into the area around Niushan island in Fujian province for four hours starting from 9am (local time) on Tuesday. Niushan island is the closest point between mainland China and Taiwan and sits south of the Taiwan-controlled Matsu islands.

China's military began a live-fire exercise near Taiwan on Tuesday, maintaining pressure on the self-ruled island after staging large-scale drills and President Xi Jinping called for troops to prepare for war.