On Sunday, Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan’s Defence Ministry announcedthat it had detected “multiple waves” of missile firings deep within China’s inland regions, heightening alert levels across the island. This comes just days after Beijing declared the successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), further escalating tensions between the two sides.
The Taiwanese government, which is democratically governed but viewed by China as its territory, remains vigilant over Chinese military maneuvers, especially those carried out in the proximity of the island. However, it is rare for Taiwan to release details of missile activities taking place inside mainland China. According to the ministry’s statement, the missile firings began at 6:50 a.m. on Sunday (2250 GMT on Saturday) and were detected in several inland provinces, including Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang — all of which are located at least 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Taiwan.
In response, Taiwan’s forces have intensified their air defense preparedness. "Air defense forces have maintained a high level of vigilance and strengthened their alert," the ministry said, confirming that Taiwan is closely monitoring the developments.
China’s Defence Ministry has not yet commented on the missile activity, and calls seeking further information went unanswered. The Rocket Force, responsible for managing China’s missile arsenal, including both conventional and nuclear weapons, has not issued any statement.
Rising military tensions between Taiwan and China were further aggravated on Thursday when Taiwan’s Defence Ministry raised concerns over a surge in Chinese military activity around the island, including live-fire drills. Beijing responded by defending the drills as "legitimate" and stating they would continue, reinforcing its stance on Taiwan.
Just days earlier, China announced that it had successfully launched an ICBM into the Pacific Ocean, adding to Taiwan’s growing concerns. Beijing has regularly conducted military exercises around the island, including a high-profile series of missile firings into waters surrounding Taiwan in August 2022, in response to a visit by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei.
Taiwan operates sophisticated radar systems positioned on some of the highest peaks of its central mountain range. These systems allow it to monitor activities deep within China closely, playing a crucial role in keeping the island informed of potential threats.
As the geopolitical tension continues to rise, Taiwan remains on high alert, anticipating further developments from its increasingly assertive neighbor.
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