Taiwan Conducts Missile Drills Amid Rising Tensions with China
Taiwan launched live-fire missile exercises in response to Chinese military pressure. The drills, featuring domestic and U.S.-made missiles, demonstrate Taiwan's commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities.
In a display of defensive readiness, Taiwan conducted live-fire missile drills on August 20, 2024, at the Jiupeng Military Base in southern Taiwan. This exercise, featuring both domestically produced and U.S.-manufactured missiles, serves as a response to escalating military pressure from China.
The drill showcased Taiwan's Sky Bow III anti-ballistic missiles, developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, alongside U.S.-made Patriot PAC II and Standard surface-to-air missiles. Sun Li-fang, spokesperson for Taiwan's Defense Ministry, confirmed the success of the exercise, stating that all missiles hit their intended targets.
These military maneuvers come amid heightened tensions between Taiwan and China. The People's Republic of China asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, which has been governed independently since 1949. In recent years, Beijing has intensified its military activities near the island, which is home to approximately 23.5 million people and boasts the world's 21st-largest economy by nominal GDP.
Lai Ching-te, who assumed office as Taiwan's President earlier in 2024, has faced particular criticism from Beijing, which labels him a separatist. In response to these pressures, Taipei has been bolstering its defense strategy, with missiles playing a crucial role.
Taiwan's military upgrades include the purchase of advanced weaponry from the United States, revitalization of its domestic arms industry, and an extension of mandatory military service from four months to one year. These measures aim to address the significant disparity between Taiwan's military capabilities and those of China.
The United States, bound by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, continues to provide Taiwan with defensive armaments. This support is crucial for maintaining the balance in the Taiwan Strait, an area of approximately 180 kilometers wide that separates the island from mainland China.
In the 24 hours preceding the drill, Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported detecting five Chinese military aircraft and eleven vessels near its shores. One aircraft reportedly crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation zone established by the U.S. in 1954 to prevent conflict.
As tensions persist, Taiwan remains committed to its defense strategy, leveraging its advanced semiconductor industry and strategic position in the East China Sea. The island, formerly known as Formosa, continues to navigate complex geopolitical waters while striving to maintain its de facto independence and democratic governance.
