China’s military fired “several” ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan during its military maneuvers on Thursday, Taipei’s defense ministry said, condemning “irrational actions that undermine regional peace.”

“The Ministry of National Defense reported that the Chinese Communist Party launched several Dongfeng ballistic missiles into waters off northeastern and southwestern Taiwan at approximately 1:56 p.m. (05:56 a.m.),” Taiwan’s defense ministry said in a brief statement.

The Chinese side confirmed the launches. “The entire live-firing training mission has been successfully completed and the relevant control of the air and sea area has now been lifted,” the Chinese military said.

Chinese state media said the drills, which began on Thursday, were aimed at simulating an air and sea “blockade” around Taiwan. On Thursday, footage showed military helicopters flying past Pingtan Island, one of Taiwan’s closest points to mainland China.

The military deployment was a deliberate show of force after Nancy Pelosi left Taiwan late Wednesday for South Korea, one of the final stops on her Asia tour, which ends in Japan this weekend. Hours after it left Taipei, the island’s defense ministry said China had sent more than 20 fighter jets across the median line in the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese media released a map of the exercise on Thursday, showing six points chosen by the Chinese military actually encircling the island.