Taiwan’s defense ministry reported on Tuesday that live fire military drills conducted by China near the island are part of routine annual training, but may also serve to enhance China’s “deterrence effect” in the Taiwan Strait. China’s Maritime Safety Administration announced that a designated area around Niushan Island in Fujian province would be closed for four hours starting at 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) for the live-fire exercises. Niushan Island is located just south of the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands.
While Taiwan’s defense ministry maintains that these exercises are standard practice for the Chinese military, it acknowledged the possibility that they could be intended to increase China’s deterrence capabilities amid the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. The ministry refrained from providing further details.
Last week, China conducted a day of military drills around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, warning against what it terms “separatist acts.” Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai emphasized to reporters in Taipei that such exercises threaten regional peace and stability. “No matter how large the scale of the drill is, they should not be frequent and close to Taiwan,” he stated. “This will only cause unnecessary tension.”
Taiwan has raised concerns over the past five years regarding regular Chinese military incursions into its airspace and waters, intensifying fears of potential conflict. The relationship has further soured under Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May. Beijing views Lai as a “separatist” and has dismissed his calls for dialogue, insisting instead on its claims over Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lai has firmly rejected these claims, asserting that the future of Taiwan should be determined solely by its people.
