Taiwan holds its largest military drill for five years as country simulates Chinese invasion amid increasing tensions with Beijing

  • Taiwan deployed 22 naval ships and 22 fighter jets in its largest military drill in five years on Wednesday
  • It simulated a Chinese sea and air invasion at the port towns of Suao and Hualien on the eastern coast
  • China refuses to recognise Taiwan's sovereignty, claiming all of the South China Sea, including the island
  • Two U.S. warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on the same day in a show of solidarity with the nation 

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Taiwan's military has staged its largest drill in five years, featuring warships and jets, to simulate a Chinese invasion on the east of the island amid increasing tensions with Beijing.

Some 22 naval ships fired their cannons, missiles and depth charges, while 22 fighter jets thundered through the skies letting off missiles and heavy machine guns on Wednesday.

Anti-submarine tactics were employed in the waters close to Suao and Hualien. Chinese submarines are considered one of Beijing's most potent threats, armed with a vast array of ballistic missiles.

Also on Wednesday, two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait in an apparent show of solidarity with the nation whose sovereignty China will not recognise and infuriating Beijing who refuse to accept the passage as international waters.

An anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) is fired from a Knox-class frigate during a military drill at sea near eastern Hualien - the Chinese submarine threat is considered one of their most potent, with devastating ballistics capabilities

An anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) is fired from a Knox-class frigate during a military drill at sea near eastern Hualien - the Chinese submarine threat is considered one of their most potent, with devastating ballistics capabilities

A Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter launches flares as it thunders through the skies over Hualien County, eastern Taiwan - it was among 22 fighter jets deployed on Wednesday

A Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter launches flares as it thunders through the skies over Hualien County, eastern Taiwan - it was among 22 fighter jets deployed on Wednesday

Special forces personnel walk beside an armoured personnel carrier during a military drill at the Hualien port - a major strategic hub which the Chinese may look to incapacitate if carrying out an invasion

Special forces personnel walk beside an armoured personnel carrier during a military drill at the Hualien port - a major strategic hub which the Chinese may look to incapacitate if carrying out an invasion

Smoke rises from the sea after electronic counter-measures (ECM) were employed during a navy live-fire - they are used both offensively and defensively in disrupting radar and sonar systems of enemy vessels

Smoke rises from the sea after electronic counter-measures (ECM) were employed during a navy live-fire - they are used both offensively and defensively in disrupting radar and sonar systems of enemy vessels

The Taiwanese boats involved in the drills included two anti-aircraft and anti-submarine guided-missile warships and the jets included the Mirage 2000, the F-16 and the Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF).

They simulated defence of their strategic naval port towns, including a threat from the air with 'enemy' jets flying over from the Taiwan Strait, according to Central News Agency.

In one of the manoeuvres four 'enemy' IDF planes streamed towards Hualien's port with four F-16 jets and four Mirages being scrambled to counter with dog-fighting and eight missile-laden speedboats rushing through the waves to strike from sea-level.

Munitions used by the aircraft included Sky Sword I missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinders and R550 Magic missiles, all infrared guided air-to-air projectiles.

Taiwanese special forces run through the Hualien port as the simulated the Chinese invasion - their largest military exercise for five years

Taiwanese special forces run through the Hualien port as the simulated the Chinese invasion - their largest military exercise for five years

Taiwan Navy's Perry-class frigate launches an ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) during a naval exercise off Hualien County, eastern Taiwan - two suchanti-aircraft and anti-submarine guided-missile warships were in the waters

Taiwan Navy's Perry-class frigate launches an ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) during a naval exercise off Hualien County, eastern Taiwan - two suchanti-aircraft and anti-submarine guided-missile warships were in the waters

A Taiwan navy S70 helicopter sends water vapour through the air as it takes off at sea from the stern of a Perry-class frigate on Wednesday

A Taiwan navy S70 helicopter sends water vapour through the air as it takes off at sea from the stern of a Perry-class frigate on Wednesday

Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets release flares during a live-fire exercise at sea near eastern Hualien - in one of the manoeuvres four 'enemy' IDF planes streamed towards Hualien's port with four F-16 jets and four Mirages being scrambled to counter with dog-fighting in the air

Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets release flares during a live-fire exercise at sea near eastern Hualien - in one of the manoeuvres four 'enemy' IDF planes streamed towards Hualien's port with four F-16 jets and four Mirages being scrambled to counter with dog-fighting in the air

Special forces personnel take position beside an armoured personnel carrier as they simulate infantry defence of their strategic port

Special forces personnel take position beside an armoured personnel carrier as they simulate infantry defence of their strategic port

Mirage 2000 fighter jets fire short range air-to-air missiles against an enemy attack during the navy live-fire drill - munitions included Sky Sword I missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinders and R550 Magic missiles, all infrared guided air-to-air projectiles.

Mirage 2000 fighter jets fire short range air-to-air missiles against an enemy attack during the navy live-fire drill - munitions included Sky Sword I missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinders and R550 Magic missiles, all infrared guided air-to-air projectiles.

They were the largest military exercises held by the Taiwanese since 2014, Taiwan News reported.

Meanwhile, two American warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on the western side of the island in an apparent show of support for their diplomatic struggle against the Chinese.

China, which last month complained about a French ship's passage through the strait, made official protestations to Washington on Thursday. 

The US Navy said the USS Preble, a destroyer, and USNS Walter S. Diehl, a supply ship, conducted a routine transit 'in accordance with international law' on Wednesday.

Flares are set off from Kee Lung (DDG-1801) guided-missile destroyer - it has multiple combat capabilities, including against air attacks, enemy vessels and enemy ground targets

Flares are set off from Kee Lung (DDG-1801) guided-missile destroyer - it has multiple combat capabilities, including against air attacks, enemy vessels and enemy ground targets

Kee Lung (DDG-1801) guided-missile destroyer is trailed by five other naval vessels as a helicopter can be seen scanning the air in the distance

Kee Lung (DDG-1801) guided-missile destroyer is trailed by five other naval vessels as a helicopter can be seen scanning the air in the distance

Taiwan Navy's Perry-class frigate fires an ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) - they are equipped with an acoustic homing torpedo which detaches and enters the water silently, carrying a devastating payload to the target

Taiwan Navy's Perry-class frigate fires an ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) - they are equipped with an acoustic homing torpedo which detaches and enters the water silently, carrying a devastating payload to the target

A Taiwan Navy personnel secures the perimeter through his sights on a massive long-range cannon during the Naval drill

A Taiwan Navy personnel secures the perimeter through his sights on a massive long-range cannon during the Naval drill

'The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,' the navy said.

'The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.'

US warships periodically conduct 'freedom of navigation' exercises in the narrow waterway separating the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, triggering angry responses from Beijing every time.

Beijing views any ships passing through the strait as essentially breaching its sovereignty, while the US and many other nations view the route as international waters open to all.

Water erupts through the surface of the waves as the Taiwan navy detonates a mine during a naval exercise off Hualien County

Water erupts through the surface of the waves as the Taiwan navy detonates a mine during a naval exercise off Hualien County

Frigates simulate destroying an enemy submarine with depth charges during a live-fire drill at sea near eastern Hualien

Frigates simulate destroying an enemy submarine with depth charges during a live-fire drill at sea near eastern Hualien

Taiwan Navy personnel stand guard aboard a DDG-1810 guided missile destroyer during the Naval drill

Taiwan Navy personnel stand guard aboard a DDG-1810 guided missile destroyer during the Naval drill

'We have lodged solemn representations with the US,' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing.

The sail-by comes on top of tensions between the United States and China over trade and US efforts to thwart Chinese telecom giant Huawei over security concerns.

The transit also comes as the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia kicked off operation 'Pacific Vanguard' near Guam, bringing together more than 3,000 sailors from the four countries.

Drills will focus on 'live fire exercises, defensive counter-air operations, anti-submarine warfare, and replenishment at sea,' the US 7th Fleet said.

Taiwan Navy personnel secure perimeter of their vessel with heavy machine guns and assault rifles during the Naval drill in Hualien

Taiwan Navy personnel secure perimeter of their vessel with heavy machine guns and assault rifles during the Naval drill in Hualien

Taiwan Navy men run towards their port at Hualien, bolstered by armoured cars as they simulate the Chinese invasion

Taiwan Navy men run towards their port at Hualien, bolstered by armoured cars as they simulate the Chinese invasion

Taiwan Navy's Perry-class frigate launches an ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) during the colossal live fire drill on Wednesday

Taiwan Navy's Perry-class frigate launches an ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) during the colossal live fire drill on Wednesday

Thrusts of water appear after depth charges were fired from patrol combatants Hsiang Chiang (PGG-611) and Jin Chiang (PGG-610) during the military drill

Thrusts of water appear after depth charges were fired from patrol combatants Hsiang Chiang (PGG-611) and Jin Chiang (PGG-610) during the military drill

In April, Beijing said its navy warned off a French warship that had entered the Taiwan Strait and lodged an official complaint with Paris.

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949.

The US diplomatically recognises China over Taiwan, but remains the island's chief military ally and arms supplier.

For the Guam naval drills, Australia has contributed two frigates, Japan two destroyers and South Korea one destroyer. The USS Blue Ridge, the 7th Fleet's flagship, will lead the operation from the US side.

Home to more than 160,000 people, Guam was at the centre of nuclear tensions between Washington and Pyongyang in 2017, with North Korea threatening to hit the US territory with 'enveloping fire'. 

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