China's defense ministry has justified its recent military exercises around Taiwan and underscored its intention to keep pressure on Taiwan.

Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei spoke to reporters on Thursday about the drills, which Beijing staged in response to a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month.

Tan said the exercises were meant as a warning against Taiwan independence separatists and interference by external forces.

He said that if Taiwan did not stop its independence provocations, China would continue to respond with countermeasures.

China is apparently concerned about recent visits by US and Japanese lawmakers, who also traveled to Taiwan after Pelosi's trip.

Analysts say China is trying to deter moves by other countries to ramp up their engagement with Taiwan.