China on Tuesday set a no-navigation zone to conduct live-fire drills in waters near Taiwan, according to Fujian Province maritime safety authorities, after U.S. and Canadian warships passed through the Taiwan Strait over the weekend.
The exercise in the sea area some 180 kilometers away from Taipei followed a large-scale military drill held last week by the Chinese military surrounding the self-ruled democratic island. Beijing has been increasing pressure on Taiwan, which it regards as part of its territory.
The zone is along the coast of Niushan Island in the Taiwan Strait, located off Pingtan Island in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province in southeastern China. It remains unknown whether the drills were actually conducted Tuesday.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement the drills could be intended by China to contribute to its “deterrence effect” in the strait, adding the island’s military will closely monitor the situation and respond appropriately.
On Sunday, U.S. destroyer Higgins and Canadian frigate Vancouver conducted a “routine” transit through the Taiwan Strait, where “high-seas freedom of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law,” according to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian criticized the passage, saying at a press conference on Monday, “We firmly oppose any act of provocation under the pretext of freedom of navigation that threatens China’s sovereignty and security.”
The mainland has condemned Taiwan President Lai Ching-te as a separatist. The large-scale military exercise followed Lai’s speech on Oct. 10 to mark the island’s National Day, in which he said China “has no right to represent Taiwan” and that the two sides are not subordinate to each other.
On Saturday, defense ministers of the Group of Seven countries expressed concern about the Chinese military drills around Taiwan, reaffirming that maintaining cross-strait peace and stability is “indispensable to international security and prosperity.”
Communist-ruled China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split due to a civil war in 1949. China views Taiwan as a renegade province that is to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Related coverage:
China conducts large-scale drills around Taiwan after Lai speech
Taiwan’s president vows to “resist annexation or encroachment”
Japan defense force ship sails through Taiwan Strait for 1st time
