Taiwan has canceled a number of flights because China is conducting military exercises near the island.

Thus, at least 40 flights to and from Taiwan were canceled, according to the China Times newspaper.

It quoted Taoyuan Airport in the capital Taipei as saying the cancellations were "not necessarily" related to military exercises, the Telegraph reports.

Beijing announced that "live fire drills" would be conducted after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan.

The country has also banned the import of hundreds of Taiwanese food items including fish, fruit and biscuits as a result of the visit.

The two sides, which split in 1949 after a civil war, have no official ties but one of the most charged technology and manufacturing relations in the world.

Ms Pelosi's trip infuriated China because it claims Taiwan as part of its territory rather than a self-governing country and sees visits by foreign officials "as recognition of the island's sovereignty".

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