China has flexed its military prowess in a recent large-scale exercise in seas around Taiwan.

The nation said its soldiers are "ready to fight" after conducting a simulation that sealed off the island. The military flexing followed Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S. last week.

China conducted a similar exercise, which included missile strikes on targets near Taiwan, last summer when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan.

Despite the exercise, it was business as usual in the surrounding waters. The Associated Press reported that maritime traffic "largely continued as normal."

Early Monday, the People's Liberation Army launched its Shandong aircraft carrier into the military exercise, which some speculate could be used to ward off aid for foreign countries looking to defend Taiwan.

With tensions rising in the region, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said it was not looking to escalate conflict with China.