TAIPEI, Taiwan — China held live-fire drills off the coast of its southern Fujian province facing Taiwan, just a week after a massive air-and-sea drill it described as punishment for Taiwan’s president rejecting Beijing’s claims of sovereignty.

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday that live fire Chinese drills in a province facing the island are part of routine annual drills but also possibly part of China's "deterrence effect" in the waters of the Taiwan Strait.

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

Latest drill takes place days after passage of US and Canadian warships through Taiwan Strait - Anadolu Ajansı

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.

Taiwan’s imports of liquefied natural gas could be vulnerable if China someday imposed a blockade, the archipelago’s defense chief said — highlighting the concern Beijing’s military activity is raising in Taipei.

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