Taiwan’s defence ministry said the Chinese military launched a total of 11 Dongfeng ballistic missiles into waters near Taiwan’s northern, southern and eastern coasts in several volleys. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said on Thursday China “imitated” North Korea by firing missiles into waters near the island earlier in the day and called for self-restraint amid high tensions with Beijing.

The Chinese military on Thursday said it has conducted precision strikes over the Taiwan Strait and “expected results” were achieved, in apparent retaliation to the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei disregarding Beijing’s vociferous warnings. China views Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it and has long vowed to reunify the island with the Chinese mainland, by force if necessary.