China to hold live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait
China's military exercises next week come as the US and Taiwan move to strengthen ties.
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China's aircraft carrier Liaoning passes through the Taiwan Strait in 2017. Photo:NDTV. |
TA one-day live-fire drill in the Taiwan Strait will take place on April 18, according to the maritime safety authority of south China's Fujian province.Washington PostreportChina's Ministry of Defense has not commented on this information.
Taiwan's defense ministry said in a statement that it would closely monitor the situation and was fully capable of responding. "Please feel at ease," the statement said, adding that the drills appeared to be part of aAnnual training activities are planned in advance.
PreviouslyOn February 28, the US Senate passed the Taiwan Travel Act (TTA), paving the way for officials at all levels of the US and Taiwan to conduct mutual visits.China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, immediately protested the move.
The announcement of live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks on the importance of naval forces. "The task of building a strong people's navy has never been more urgent," Xi said on April 12 while standing on a destroyer in the South China Sea.
