China Fires Long-Range Artillery Beyond Taiwan Strait Median Line... "Encircling Drills Expanded" (Update)

Chinese People's Liberation Army "Achieved Expected Results in Precision Strikes in Eastern Taiwan Strait"
Taiwan Ministry of Transportation Claims "Number of Chinese Military Training Areas Increased from 6 to 7, Duration Extended by One Day"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Hee-jong] The Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted long-range live-fire exercises on the eastern waters of the Taiwan Strait, crossing the median line of the strait on the 4th.

According to Chinese media Pengpai, the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, responsible for Taiwan, carried out long-range live-fire training in the Taiwan Strait around 1 p.m. local time that day. Pengpai stated, "Precision strikes were made in a specific area in the eastern Taiwan Strait, achieving the expected results."

This live-fire exercise is part of the military drills announced by China in response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan on the 2nd and 3rd.

China is also reportedly planning to expand the scope and duration of the military exercises.

The Taiwan Ministry of Transportation claimed that "one additional military training zone has been added by the Chinese military, and the duration has been extended by one day." The Ministry's Maritime and Port Bureau stated, "China suddenly added the eastern waters of Taiwan as a training zone at 9 a.m. today, increasing the number of zones to seven, and extended the training period until 10 a.m. on the 8th."

The Maritime and Port Bureau added, "The newly added training zone is located 70 nautical miles from Hualien Port, Taiwan, and will not cause additional impact on aircraft operations. Ships can simply detour around the area."

Earlier, the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua announced that immediately after Speaker Pelosi's arrival in Taiwan on the 2nd, the People's Liberation Army would conduct important military exercises and live-fire drills from 12 p.m. on the 4th (1 p.m. Korean time) to 12 p.m. on the 7th in six sea and air zones set up to encircle Taiwan.

The Chinese government issued a notice banning the entry of ships and aircraft into the sea and air zones where the exercises will take place during this period.