China holds live-fire military exercises in Taiwan Strait

China claimed it conducted “precision rocket strikes” in Taiwan Strait, as part of military exercises. This has raised tensions to their highest levels in decades.

China announced earlier that its navy, airforce, and other military units were conducting exercises in six zones around Taiwan. Beijing claims Taiwan is its territory and can annexe it by force.

The drills were initiated by Nancy Pelosi (U.S. House Speaker) visiting the island this week. They are designed to publicize China’s threats to attack the self-governing islands. China has been threatening military retaliation against Taiwan for its diplomatic isolation and its attempts to support Taiwan de facto independence.

“Long-range precision missile strikes with live fire and armed precision were launched at selected targets in Taiwan Strait,” said the Eastern Theater Command, the military wing of the People’s Liberation Army. said In a statement posted on its social media platforms.

“The expected outcome was achieved,” the statement added. Other details were not provided.

Taiwan is on alert

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said It tracked the firing of Chinese Dongfeng missiles starting at 1:56 p.m. on Thursday. It said According to a statement, it said that it used various early warning surveillance system to track the missile launches. These missiles were directed towards waters northeast and southeast of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry was present earlier in the day said The forces of the armed forces were alerted and kept an eye on the situation in order to prevent tensions from escalating. A number of civil defence drills were conducted and air raid shelters were notified.

China’s “irrational conduct” is intended to change the status quo and disrupt regional stability and peace, according to the ministry said.

The statement states that the three service branches will work together with the people to jointly protect national security and territorial integrity. They will also adapt to changing situations as they arise. said.

According to China’s official Xinhua News Agency, the exercises were joint operations that focused on “blockade and sea target assault, strike against ground targets, airspace control, and space control.”

The U.S. hasn’t said It could intervene because it has bases and forward deployed assets in the region, including aircraft carrier battle group, which it claims it will use to defend itself. U.S. law demands that Taiwanese threats, including blockades be treated as serious concerns.

The drills will be held from Thursday to Sunday. They will include missile strikes on targets in waters north and south. It is an echo to the 1995 and 1996 major Chinese military drills designed to intimidate Taiwan’s leaders, voters, and politicians.

Although China has not provided details on the number of military assets and troops involved, it appears that the exercises were the largest in terms of geographical area held near Taiwan.

According to Xinhua, the exercises included troops from the navy and air force as well as rocket force, strategic support force, logistic support force and strategic support force.