China holds live-fire drills near closest point to Taiwan

ANKARA

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday held live-fire drills off the Niushan Island off China's southeastern shore, near the closest point to Taiwan, according to local media.

The latest drill took place days after the passage of US and Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait, the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported.

China's military warned that the passage of the warships “disrupted the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.”

On Monday, the maritime safety administration in Pingtan, eastern Fujian province, warned vessels to avoid the waters around the island, which is located roughly 80 kilometers (around 50 miles) south of the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands off the Fujian province and about 165 km (102.5 mi) from Taipei.

China considers Taiwan as its breakaway province, whereas the latter insists on its independence.

Beijing has stepped up air and sea drills near Taiwan in recent years.

The PLA staged live-fire exercises in Pingtan just days after a meeting between then-President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen and former US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California in April 2023.

In July 2022, the PLA also engaged in live-fire drills in the area just days after Beijing issued stern warnings about an imminent visit by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei.