China conducted live-fire exercises from its territory closest to Taiwan, a week after it began large-scale exercises around the island. China's military exercises off Taiwan have intensified in recent years as its claims to the self-ruled island have grown.
Beijing announced late Monday that the area around Niushan, an island 105 km (66 miles) from Taiwan, would be closed for drills for four hours from 0900 local time (0100 GMT) on Tuesday.
Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Jun Tai said on Tuesday that China should not conduct such exercises given their threat to regional stability.
Beijing announced late Monday that the area around Niushan, an island 105 km (66 miles) from Taiwan, would be closed for drills for four hours from 0900 local time (0100 GMT) on Tuesday.
Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Jun Tai said on Tuesday that China should not conduct such exercises given their threat to regional stability.
“Regardless of the size of the exercise, it should not be frequent or close to Taiwan,” he told reporters. “It will only cause unnecessary tension.” Although Taipei described the exercise as routine, analysts said China was likely sending a signal given its proximity to Taiwan.
The exercises are also part of a broader campaign in which Chinese ships and aircraft regularly invade Taiwanese territory and airspace - a gray zone warfare tactic designed to normalize incursions and weaken Taiwan over an extended period.
As Chinese exercises intensify, so too do maneuvers by Taiwan's allies, mainly the United States.
For decades, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was the only foreign fleet to regularly sail through the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, to assert its freedom of navigation.
Recently, however, these patrols have been joined by other U.S. allies, including Canada, Germany, Australia and Japan, in so-called “high visibility operations.” The latest instance occurred over the weekend when U.S. and Canadian warships were led through the waters.
Analysts say this represents strengthening signals from China and the United States. While Beijing has emphasized its claims to Taiwan, Washington has made clear its support for the island.
The exercises are also part of a broader campaign in which Chinese ships and aircraft regularly invade Taiwanese territory and airspace - a gray zone warfare tactic designed to normalize incursions and weaken Taiwan over an extended period.
As Chinese exercises intensify, so too do maneuvers by Taiwan's allies, mainly the United States.
For decades, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was the only foreign fleet to regularly sail through the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, to assert its freedom of navigation.
Recently, however, these patrols have been joined by other U.S. allies, including Canada, Germany, Australia and Japan, in so-called “high visibility operations.” The latest instance occurred over the weekend when U.S. and Canadian warships were led through the waters.
Analysts say this represents strengthening signals from China and the United States. While Beijing has emphasized its claims to Taiwan, Washington has made clear its support for the island.
