Chinese military helicopters fly past Pingtan island; PLA conducts a long-range live-fire drill into the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. AP / AFP

The Chinese army fired projectiles into the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, AFP journalists said, shortly after the start of large-scale military exercises around the island claimed by Beijing.

On the Chinese island of Bigtan, located near the site of the maneuvers, reporters spotted several small projectiles being fired from near by military installations, flying into the sky, leaving white and thunderous smoke.

On Thursday, the Chinese army began the most important military maneuvers in its history on Taiwan, in response to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island, which Beijing considers an integral part of its territory.

The Chinese state TV channel (CCTV) announced the start of the largest-ever exercises organized by Beijing in the vicinity of the island that it claims.

"The exercises have begun," the channel said in a message posted on the Weibo social network.

Immediately after the start of the maneuvers, the Taiwanese army confirmed that it was "preparing for war."

"The Ministry of National Defense affirms that it will adhere to the principle of preparing for war without seeking war," the Taiwan Defense Ministry said in a statement.