Taiwan to 'closely monitor' China live-fire drills

TAIPEI: Taiwan will "closely monitor" Chinese live-fire drills off China's coast this week, the democratic island's defence minister said on Monday.

Chinese maritime authorities announced in recent days that drills would be held from Oct 12-20 in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea.

China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.

The drills would be in waters close to China's coast, according to the official announcements.

"Keeping with the principle of preparing for the worst, we will continue to closely monitor all of their activities, whether they involve firing or other military training," Defence Minister Wellington Koo told reporters.

"It should be emphasised here that the PLA's (People's Liberation Army's) constant military drills that cause unease across the Indo-Pacific region deserve our close attention and condemnation."

China deploys fighter jets, warships and coast guard vessels around Taiwan on an almost daily basis, and regularly conducts military exercises as part of preparations for a potential attack on the island.

Taiwan is investing billions of dollars upgrading its defence capabilities, which President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday was to "deter war", not start one.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office accused Lai of "stoking confrontation across the Taiwan Strait."

Lai's government has earmarked a record NT$1.1 trillion (US$34.5 billion) in defence spending for 2027, which accounts for more than three percent of GDP.--AFP