China plans live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait after US and Canada warships transit there
China said it would carry out live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, two days after US and Canadian warships sailed through the contentious waterway following Beijing’s massive military exercise a week ago.
The live-fire drills are to take place in a limited area in the waters near Niushan Island from 9am to 1pm local time, the official Fujian Daily reported, citing a notice from the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) on Pingtan, an island off the coast of Fujian province in southeastern China.
Sitting east of Pingtan Island, Niushan Island is only 165 kilometres (102 miles) from Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan.
Ships would be prohibited from entering the area, the notice added.
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Chinese President Xi visits Taiwan-facing island after PLA blockade drills
Liu Xi, the spokesperson for the Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army, said the PLA was “on high alert” and would “resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and regional peace and stability”.