Taiwan deploys Sky Bow III missiles to deter China's latest military threat

Amid growing tension between Taiwan and China, People's Liberation Army (PLA) has again conducted a military exercise in south-west region of Taiwan. According to statement released by PLA on Monday, Eastern ater Command-- which led military drill-- said that exercises were held between May 6-8 both at sea and in airspace. " purpose of military drills was to increase combat capability of various branches of Chinese armed forces in joint operations," re statement.

Meanwhile, giving details about recent drill, Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said that PLA used fighter jets, Chinese bombers and anti-submarine during military exercise. According to a report by Taiwan News, Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense has deployed Sky Bow III missiles, which have a range of 200 kilometres, in response to threat of Chinese military in eastern Taiwan. "All F-16V fighter jets will be deployed at Taitung's Chihang Base and a portion of Taiwan's Hsiung Feng III and Harpoon missiles will also be moved to east, as per Taiwan MoD.

Taiwan-China tensions rise

Tensions between both countries increased multiple folds, with Chinese President Xi Jinping pledging to complete reunification with self-ruled Taiwan and vowing to smash any attempts at formal independence for island. Taiwan, home to 23.6 million people, split from China during a civil war that led to Communist Party taking control of mainland in 1949. Despite this, Beijing violated Taiwan's border claiming full sovereignty over Taiwan, even though two sides have been governed separately for more than seven deces. Communist government, on several occasions, stepped up military exercises around self-ruled Taiwan, which it considers its own territory, under One China policy.                                                 

Image: AP