A week after the large-scale exercise, China is conducting a live-fire exercise against Taiwan

In this screenshot from a video released by the Taiwan Coast Guard, a view of a Chinese Coast Guard boat from a Taiwan Coast Guard boat is seen near the coast of Matsu Islands, Taiwan, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. drives past. (Coast Taiwan Guard/AP)

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China is conducting target practice off the coast of its southern Fujian province opposite Taiwan, just a week after a massive air and sea exercise it called as punishment for Taiwan’s president’s rejection of Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

According to a statement from the Maritime Safety Administration, the fire drills near the Pingtan Islands off Fujian province took place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It warned ships to avoid the area. No further details were given.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said China’s drills were part of an annual exercise and were tracking them. “It cannot be ruled out that this is one of the ways to expand the deterrence effect in line with the dynamics in the Taiwan Strait,” the statement added.

Taiwan is a self-governing island that Beijing claims is part of China. Tensions surrounding this issue have increased in recent years. China has increased its presence in the waters and skies around Taiwan. The country is now increasingly sending large numbers of fighter jets and naval vessels to military exercises near Taiwan, and its coast guard is conducting patrols.

Last week, China held a one-day military exercise aimed at “sealing off key ports and key areas.” Taiwan counted a record 153 aircraft, 14 naval ships and 12 Chinese government ships in one day.

In response to Chinese moves, the US has continued to conduct so-called “freedom of navigation” transits through the Taiwan Strait. On Sunday, the destroyer USS Higgins and the Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver crossed the narrow strip of ocean that separates China and Taiwan.

Germany sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait last month to boost its defense commitment in the Asia-Pacific region.