China said it held military exercises off its coast across from Taiwan on Saturday.

What happened: aAccording to the official Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army conducted “live fire exercises” near the Pingtan Islands off Fujian Province from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. AP news reported.

This came to China warned the United States urgently via speakers nancy pelosis possible plans to visit the island nation, where he claims sovereignty. China’s warnings were far stronger than the threats it had made when it was previously dissatisfied with US actions or policy towards Taiwan.

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Sources familiar with the situation said so financial times that the warnings included a possible military response.

Such “live-fire exercises” usually involve artillery. However, Xinhua’s one-line announcement did not specify whether the exercise involved missiles, warplanes or other weapons. But the Maritime Safety Administration warned ships to avoid the area.

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