Military vehicles carrying DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missiles take part in a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1, 2019, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Greg Baker | AFP | Getty Images
Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Saturday it was monitoring a “wave” of missile tests taking place in China’s northernmost Inner Mongolia region and its air defenses were on alert.
Democratically-run Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, keeps a close eye on Chinese military activity as Beijing frequently operates around the island, but rarely releases details about what goes on inside China.
The ministry said that since 4 a.m. (2000 GMT Friday) it had detected “multiple test launches” by China’s Rocket Force in Inner Mongolia, about 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Taiwan.
The ministry said Taiwan’s forces were constantly monitoring developments and its air defense forces were on alert, but did not provide further details.
China’s Defense Ministry did not respond to calls seeking comment outside business hours. The Rocket Force is responsible for China’s nuclear and conventional missile arsenal.
In August 2022, China fired missiles into the waters around Taiwan during military exercises to express anger over a visit to Taipei by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Taiwan operates powerful radar stations on several mountain peaks in the central part of the country that can see far into China, according to security sources.
China detests Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, calling him a “separatist”, and has increased military pressure including drills since he took office.
Lai has repeatedly offered to negotiate with China but has been rebuffed. He rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty, saying only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.
