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China is using its military exercises near Taiwan to prepare for an invasion of the island, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said, Agence France-Presse quoted Maritza as saying.

According to the Taiwanese minister, Beijing aims to change the status quo in the Asia-Pacific region.

"China is using its exercises and military road map to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan," Joseph Wu said at a press conference in Taipei.

China needs 2 million troops to invade Taiwan

"China's real goal is to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and in the entire region," the minister added.

Taiwan today began conducting previously announced artillery exercises amid China's ongoing military exercises near the island, DPA reported.

The artillery exercises were announced at the end of July, and their purpose is to simulate defense against a possible attack by the Chinese armed forces, DPA notes.

The Taiwan exercises, which are part of Taiwan's annual exercises, will continue today, tomorrow and the day after.

Their conduct has been accompanied by heightened tensions in the region, with China saying it will continue with exercises it has been conducting to the north, southwest and east of Taiwan.

Beijing has announced that it is continuing its military exercises around Taiwan

The Chinese armed forces had initially announced that their exercises would end on Sunday.

The date on which they will end has not been announced at this time.

Taiwan's foreign ministry has criticized China's decision to extend its military exercises near Taiwan.

China is using its military exercises near Taiwan to prepare for an invasion of the island, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said today, AFP reported.