China launches LIVE FIRE drills 12 miles from Taiwan as troops 'shoot at drones'

CHINA launched unprecedented live fire military drills as close as 12 miles from Taiwan's shores this morning - as the island's defenders opened fire at suspected Beijing drones.

The Asian powerhouse kicked off its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan on Thursday in a show of force straddling vital international shipping lanes.

Taiwan has been on high alert as China conducts a series of war games in response to a visit by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Polosi to the island this week.

Beijing vowed "punishment" and announced military drills in the seas around Taiwan - some of the world's busiest waterways.

The war game drills began at 12 pm (0400 GMT) on Thursday and involved "live-firing", according to Chinese state media.

"Six major areas around the island have been selected for this actual combat exercise and during this period, relevant ships and aircraft should not enter the relevant waters and airspaces," state broadcaster CCTV reported.

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China opens FIRE just 12 miles from Taiwan as enormous military drills ‘blockade’ island and defenders ‘blast drones’

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[jlindsell]

The 2020s is going to be one hell of a decade

[Dylinto]

Man.. imagine what we would accomplish if we all just worked together....

[craigclark]

I cant get my head around the fact that such a small minority of people (the world leaders) see so much profit and prosperity in creating animosity and hatred towards each other.
Its just pathetic that as a global race we still cannot find middle ground to prosper as one.

[FreeFallingAir]

I wonder, did people living in the late 30's feel the same as we do now. Almost like the people are going out of their way to destroy everything. Standing on the edge of the abyss proudly.

[ztcdosy]

China's threat of force cannot force us Taiwanese to submit to China. We Taiwanese will fight to the end to defend the freedom and democracy of our own country. Taiwan is not a part of China. Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country. 🇹🇼🇹🇼🇹🇼

[JLukeoo]

I've seen this same jet footage in around 4 different videos over the last 2 to 3 days.. Seems like sensationalism to me...

[hithere]

Best thing i ever did = have a child
Worst thing i ever did = have a child knowing they have to grow up in this awful world full of 80 year old men at the end of their life making these provoking and escalating decisions.

[thelittlebeefcake]

Can’t help but think this is yet another distraction from something else much bigger behind the scenes.

[lanceward]

What is happening in the world at the moment it's all gone totally crazy

[mrt]

Heard John Lennon’s song recently, “Give Peace a Chance”. All these years that we have lived through thinking all is well, being comfortable in the lives we live. Have all the protests against conflicts gone unheeded? Probably in this country not but there are nations out there with a different agenda. We have given those who wish to rule over us a quick and easy pathway to a conquest.

[TRIPPLEJAY]

When I was growing up in the 80s I thought the year 2000 and onwards would be amazing, peaceful, and easy way of life. Was I wrong, I absolutely hate it. Bung me on a dessert island on my own any day.

[thelastfew]

Love how everyone's likeLOOK WHAT WE GOT and the US is like FAFO

[cann]

Last time China was at war was with Vietnam and even then they got sent back to their borders. China has no real combat experience

[BH-]

It does look like the reunification of mainland China and Taiwan won’t be long. Western politicians will say a few words or condemnation and forget about it .

[leeshepherdtrading]

Lol. This is all China does. A lot of hot air then plays war games with its own troops. 🤣

[denardotsula]

Diplomacy is always the best option, war only brings pain and suffering

[sandwichrtist]

Knock-off F-22 and F-16....look like they're going to break apart haha

[itsdutchy]

Looks like Pelosi went to wave them off

[aleccap]

That's great, I wish I was there with my camera, Taiwan being an island must offer a great view of this. A bit like the IOW when BT said it was part of the UK and wanted to charge people foreign charges.

[lastChang]

China's 🇨🇳 anger is bogus.
- China cannot use her visit as a pretext for military exercises of *illegal blockade* around Taiwan.
This violates international laws and Taiwan's sovereignty.