Taiwan condemns China's live-fire zone near coast, cites provocation

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemned China's recent declaration of a live-fire exercise zone approximately 74 km off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung, which was announced without prior warning. The MND reported detecting 32 Chinese military aircraft conducting operations near Taiwan, with some crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, while the MOFA labeled the drills a 'blatant violation of international norms' that threaten regional stability. Both ministries emphasized the risks posed to international navigation and called on China to cease its military provocations. The MND dispatched naval, air, and coastal forces to monitor the situation and respond as necessary. The incident has sparked concerns about increased military tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan's government urged the international community to collectively address China's aggressive military maneuvers.