Beijing sends warships on exercise off Taiwan coast

China is conducting a live-fire military exercise involving warships, anti-submarine aircraft and fighter jets near Taiwan.

China is conducting a live-fire military exercise involving warships, anti-submarine aircraft and fighter jets near Taiwan in response to “provocations” by the US.

In an unusual move at least two Chinese aircraft were said to have entered areas designated by Taiwan for its military use.

The People’s Liberation Army exercises, taking place south of the island, are a “solemn response” to the provocation by Taiwan’s independence forces, Shi Yi, a colonel and spokesman for the PLA’s eastern theatre command, said.

A Chinese PLA Navy fleet with a destroyer conducts a live-fire drill. Picture: Supplied

“Recently the US and Taiwan have made provocations sending severely wrong signals, severely violating China’s sovereignty and severely harming the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait,” Shi said.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and vows to take it back, by force if necessary. The US has a security pact with Taiwan to deter invasion.

Chinese soldiers prepare anti-ship missile systems. Picture: Supplied

Taiwanese media said that a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft had crossed an area set up for firing exercises at a missile base and that a Chinese spy plane flew across an area designated for the Taiwanese military to conduct air drills.

Last week it was reported that Taiwan and US coast guard forces had held exercises east of the island. Taiwan denied US vessels were involved but the two sides have set up a “work group” to respond to “maritime challenges”.

The Times