Donald Trump says he is not worried about Chinese military drills around Taiwan

The US President has downplayed the drills which follow a US announcement of an $11bn arms sale to Taiwan.

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"I have a great relationship with President Xi [Jinping], and he hasn't told me anything about [the drills]. I certainly have seen it," Trump told reporters at a press conference on Monday.

"No, nothing worries me. They've been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area," he said of the drills, which have ramped up in recent years and now include simulating a blockade of the island.

The drills, which began on Monday, take place nearly two weeks after the US announced one of its largest-ever arms sales to Taiwan.

The drills are a warning against "Taiwan independence separatist forces" and "external interference", the Chinese military said.