China launches live-fire drills near Taiwan amid rising cross-strait tensions

In a sign of rising tensions, China's military began live-fire exercises near Taiwan on Tuesday. This comes after recent large-scale drills conducted by Beijing around Taiwan and its outlying islands. Addressing troops from China's Rocket Force, President Xi Jinping stressed the need to strengthen preparedness for potential war.

The live-fire drills took place in waters off eastern China's Pingtan island, located about 105km from Taiwan. The Maritime Safety Administration said gunfire exercises would be carried out within a 150 sqkm area for four hours from 9am local time. Pingtan is the closest point to Taiwan in mainland China.

In response, Taiwan remained on high alert while closely monitoring China's military maneuvers. Defense officials viewed the exercises as an attempt to intimidate and increase pressure on the self-ruled island. Taiwan's Premier expressed concerns over the drills undermining peace and stability in the region.

Over the weekend, U.S. and Canadian warships transited through the 180km Taiwan Strait. Such passages by Washington and allies aim to reinforce the strait's international waterway status, despite Beijing's objections. China conducted massive air and sea drills near Taiwan in mid-October, sending political tensions soaring.

While China has increased military activity around Taiwan in recent years, Xi's call to prepare for potential conflict marks an escalation. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province, threatening to retake it by force if needed. As military posturing continues, the situation in the Taiwan Strait will bear close watching.