The military exercises will take place on July 29-30 in the western part of the Qiongzhou Strait, which separates the Guangdong Province from Hainan Island, and also in the waters to the southeast of the coast of the province, according to the statement.

The drills come amid the reports of an anticipated visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

The plans have sparked a major backlash from Beijing, which condemns any official contacts between the US and Taiwan, with the White House not publicly commenting on Pelosi's plans.

The Chinese ministry said in the event of Pelosi's visit to the island, Beijing will definitely take decisive measures to protect state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the US will be fully responsible for all the serious consequences resulting from the visit.

(With UNI inputs)