Live-Fire Exercises Aim To Repel Amphibious Invasion

The Taiwanese military has launched its first live-fire drills of the year as tensions grow with Beijing, reports CNN.

The training that began on Friday focused on defending the island against a simulated amphibious invasion near Taichung on Taiwan's western coast.

The military stands ready to counter any threats, including from Communist China, said a spokesman for the Taiwanese Defense Ministry. 

The ministry declined to say how many troops or what weapon systems were involved. 

The exercises are scheduled to run the end of January. 

Beijing considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province. 

On Tuesday, a senior Chinese general told visiting U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson that China would use force against anyone who tried to split Taiwan from China.