China on Wednesday commenced military drills around Taiwan’s main island, according to Chinese state media
The drill was announced hours after US House Speaker departed from Taipei following a visit that has rankled Beijing
Live-fire drills began in six identified zones around the island at noon local time, Al Jazeera reported citing China state media
Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday organized joint combat training exercises in the northern, southwestern and southeastern waters and airspace off Taiwan Island
The exercises involved troops from the Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Logistic Support Force
It focused on key training sessions including joint blockade, sea target assault, strike on ground targets, and airspace control operation
The joint combat capabilities of the troops got tested in the military operations
Major General Chang Zone-sung of the military’s Kinmen Defense Command said that the Chinese drones came in a pair and flew into the Kinmen area twice on Wednesday night
Taiwan had fired flares in response, Major General Chang Zone-sung further added
Moreover, China has decided to avoid meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Cambodia