Taiwan says it is closely monitoring series of Chinese live-fire drills

Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Monday that the military is monitoring a series of Chinese live-fire drills taking place up and down the country's coast this week.



Starting from Thursday, the China Maritime Safety Administration announced no sail notices for five areas, from the South China Sea up to the northeastern province of Liaoning, though none around Taiwan itself.



The closest one to Taiwan is off China's eastern province of Zhejiang.



The drills are scheduled to last all week, according to the notices.



Speaking to reporters in parliament, Koo said the preliminary assessment is that these activities were firing drills by coastal artillery and related units. "



However, we adhere to the principle of 'anticipating the enemy as broadly as possible', so we will continue to closely monitor their activities, whether firing or military training," he said.



President Lai Ching-te, in his national day speech on Saturday, said Taiwan cherishes peace but will not give up its freedom, and there must be respect for the right of Taiwan's people to exist.