Defense ministry closely monitoring China’s live-fire drills

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said late yesterday that it was keeping close track of China’s live-fire exercises being held in waters off the southeastern Chinese coastal city of Shantou.

China’s Maritime Safety Administration on Tuesday issued a no-sail warning for a maritime zone off Shantou, citing plans for live-fire exercises on Tuesday and today.

The exercises were scheduled to take place between 8am and 6pm on both days, according to the notice.

In response to CNA’s request for comment, the MND said yesterday night that it was closely monitoring Chinese military activities related to the drills, which so far have not affected Taiwan’s air or marine safety.

The MND said that by means of its joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, it always keeps abreast of China’s routine and ad hoc military exercises.

The MND said that as of 6am today, it had detected 23 Chinese military aircraft, eight navy ships and one official ship operating around Taiwan during a 24-hour window.

Sixteen military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones (ADIZ), it said.

The ministry said it had monitored the situation and employed patrol aircraft, navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.