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China Pushes Live-Fire Drills Around Taiwan Into Second Day

Beijing casts the drills as a warning over the new U.S. arms package to Taiwan.

Overview

  • Taiwan reported 130 Chinese aircraft, 14 military ships and eight other official vessels around the island in 24 hours, with 90 aircraft crossing the strait’s median line and a Chinese balloon also detected.
  • Taiwanese officials said some live rounds landed closer than in past exercises, including impacts within the island’s 24‑nautical‑mile line after long‑range artillery fired from China’s Fujian coast.
  • Authorities designated five live‑fire areas and seven temporary dangerous zones, disrupting travel as Taiwan reported 941 flights affected and estimated impacts to more than 100,000 passengers.
  • Taiwan activated a response center, kept forces on high alert, and deployed aircraft, navy ships and coastal missile systems, while the coast guard sent large patrol vessels to safeguard shipping routes.
  • China’s Eastern Theater Command described the operation as a stern warning to separatist forces and external interference following an $11 billion U.S. arms sale, as Beijing’s state media amplified propaganda and tensions with Japan flared; President Trump said he was not worried.