Responding to the news of the upcoming live-fire drills, the Taiwanese Defense Military said in a statement the drills were taking place in a "routine" military zone and reiterated their national army could protect the island from any threat. China has begun naval drills in the Taiwan Strait , the first time in three years that live ammunition has been used in the seas . The exercise is being seen as a warning to independence advocates in Taiwan , and to US officials calling for closer ties with Taipei . It also marked China 's largest ever display of naval power last week in the South China Sea .
China has begun naval drills in the Taiwan Strait , the first time in three years that live ammunition has been used in the seas . The exercise is being seen as a warning to independence advocates in Taiwan , and to US officials calling for closer ties with Taipei . It also marked China 's largest ever display of naval power last week in the South China Sea .