Watch: China conducts 'limited' live-fire drills in Taiwan Straits

China conducted 'limited' live-fire excercise in Taiwan Straits with the local media warning the "Taiwan independence groups" and the US not to damage "cross-Straits" ties.

China's Global Times said "military drills not only sent a tough message to Taiwan independence groups but also delivered a warning to the US, which recently boosted communication and ties with Taiwan."

The state-run newspaper quoting Chinese mainland's Fujian Maritime Safety Administration said he duration and location of the live-fire drills was relatively "closer to Fujian Province than Taiwan", and scale of the drills were "limited".

"The drills follow recent pro-independence activities on the island, especially the high-profile advocacy for independence by the head of Taiwan's administrative authority, Lai Ching-te," the newspaper said, adding that Taiwan also conducted military exercises on Friday, and Taiwan's regional leader Tsai Ing-wen watched the exercises.  

Taiwan meanwhile said China's drills amounted to "military intimidation". 

Taiwan's defence ministry said two Chinese H-6K bombers had flown around the island, passing first through the Miyako Strait to Taiwan's northeast and then back to base via the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines.