China fired 11 ballistic missiles into waters close to ports in Taiwan and conducted other military drills on Thursday, in an attempt to punish the country for hosting a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said China fired the Dongfeng missiles between 1.56pm and 4pm towards waters north, north-east, south and east of Taiwan, in an “irrational action destroying regional peace”.
The Dongfeng ballistic missiles are some of the People’s Liberation Army’s most potent weapons. They include the anti-ship intermediate range DF-21, which is viewed as a tool for deterring the US Navy and its aircraft carrier strike groups from operating in strategically important areas near China.