The Chinese authorities today launched a series of live-fire military exercises north of Taiwan aimed at countering similar manoeuvres by the United States in the Pacific.
In a statement, China’s Maritime Safety Administration said it had issued a navigational alert that will go into effect today to prevent incidents in the area during the exercises.
China normally carries out such exercises along its coastline, but those in the vicinity of Taiwan often attract international attention.
The exercises in question take place around the Dachen Islands, a group of islands off the coast in the Jiaojiang district which was under Taiwanese control until 1955. However, Taiwan still controls the islands of Matsu and Kinmen, off China’s Fujian province.
China also plans to hold other military exercises independently in the northern South China Sea, the statement said.
These exercises coincide with manoeuvres by Japan, the United States, Canada and France.
