Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Saturday it was monitoring “waves” of missile tests in China’s northern Inner Mongolia region and that its air defense forces were on alert.
Democratically ruled Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, keeps a close eye on all Chinese military activities, given Beijing’s regular operations on the island. However, the country rarely releases details about what it sees happening in China.
The ministry said it had detected “multiple waves of test launches” by China’s missile force in Inner Mongolia, which is about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Taiwan, starting at 4 a.m.
Taiwan’s armed forces are continuously monitoring developments and its air defense forces are on alert, the ministry said, without giving details.
China’s Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment outside business hours. The Rocket Force is responsible for China’s conventional and nuclear missile arsenal.
In August 2022, China fired missiles into the waters around Taiwan during war exercises to express its anger over a visit to Taipei by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
According to security sources, Taiwan has powerful radar stations on some peaks of the central mountain range, from where you can see far into China.
China despises Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, calling him a “separatist.” Since his inauguration, China has ramped up military pressure, including by playing war games.
Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but has been rebuffed. He rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty and says only the people of Taiwan can determine their future.
