China’s firing drills using land-based missiles and fighter jets around six zones encircling Taiwan are all aimed at cutting off the island, warning ships and aircraft against operating in the area.


China began aggressive military exercises after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit that Beijing had opposed. The assault around these zones was intended to create a blockade around key shipping ports: Kaohsiung, Taichung, Taipei, Keelung, Suao and Hualien around the island.

The exercises are being dubbed as the biggest by China across the Taiwan Strait separating the two countries. The zone in which the fire drills are happening is barely 20 kms away from Taiwan’s coastline.