Taiwan Conducts Live-Fire Missile Exercises

Taiwan's military showcased its missile capabilities in a live-fire drill at Jiupeng Base, marking the first media-accessible demonstration since 2012. The exercise included the launch of U.S.-made Patriot PAC-2 and domestically-developed Sky Bow III surface-to-air missiles, all of which successfully hit designated targets. This display comes amid increased military pressure from China, which has intensified its maritime patrols around Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry emphasized the effectiveness of its weapon systems and training, asserting that the drills were in alignment with the island's defense strategy against perceived threats from Beijing. Additionally, the drills coincided with supportive gestures from Taiwan's allies, including a significant endorsement within the Democratic Party's platform in the U.S. regarding Taiwan's sovereignty. The military's activities underscore the ongoing tensions in the region as Taiwan continues to enhance its deterrence capabilities against China.