The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said on Wednesday it successfully completed military exercises around Taiwan.

Spokesman Li Xi said the theater command fully tested the integrated joint operations capabilities of its troops in the drills that began on Monday.

He added that troops will keep strengthening combat readiness to "resolutely thwart the attempts of secessionists in Taiwan and external intervention, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity".

The drills, codenamed "Justice Mission 2025", included live-fire exercises aimed at simulating a blockade of key ports and assaults on maritime targets, and were held after the United States approved arms sales worth US$11 billion to Taiwan.

The Foreign Ministry hit back at a number of foreign countries criticising the drills, among them Japan and Australia.

"These countries and institutions are turning a blind eye to the separatist forces in Taiwan attempting to achieve independence through military means," ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing on Wednesday.

"Yet, they are making irresponsible criticisms of China's necessary and just actions to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Zhang Han, a spokeswoman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said the exercises were a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference.

She added the drills were a necessary and just move to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Xinhua and agencies)