Due to the simulations, 76 domestic flights have already been cancelled in Taiwan's offshore islands, affecting around 6,000 passengers.

The drills began 11 days after the U.S. announced a record $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan and are Beijing's largest exercises to date by area and the closest yet to the island.

China flew bombers and fired long-range artillery during a second day of exercises designed to show its ability to claim the island-democracy by force.

Chinese tourists were milling around a small temple overlooking the glittering sea on an island near Taiwan on Tuesday when they heard thunderous booms from an islet in the distance. A resident said he was unaware of the drills but that the island had been a popular destination for Taiwanese tourists in the past.

China staged live-fire drills around Taiwan on Monday, deploying troops, warships, fighter jets and artillery for its "Justice Mission 2025" exercises, as the island scrambled soldiers and showcased U.

Yonaguni, a tiny Japanese island near Taiwan, is getting soldiers, radar and missiles. As China’s dispute with Tokyo escalates, some residents are worried.

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake has hit Taiwan just off its northeast coast, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

By Mark Buckton - Taipei Taiwan and the southwestern islands of Japan have been hit by a major earthquake, initially reported as measuring magnitude 7.0 by Taiwanese authorities. Japanese government agencies meanwhile reported the tremor as a M6.