China announced military exercises shortly after the US Secretary of State arrived in Taiwan.

According to a statement issued by the foreign news agency, China’s statement regarding military exercises came at a time when US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Development, Energy and Environment Keith J. Krach arrives for a three-day visit to Taiwan on Thursday.

This is the first visit by a senior US official of the State Department in 40 years.

Keith has arrived in Taiwan to attend a prayer service in memory of the late Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui.

Top US officials will also meet with Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and President Xi Jinping. When asked about Keith’s visit to Taiwan during Friday’s briefing, a Chinese Defense Department spokesman said, “We are conducting real war games in Taiwan.”