Taiwan Holds Live-fire Drills Amid Beijing Threats

Taiwan held live-fire exercises on Thursday following renewed threats from Beijing to bring the island under its control by force if deemed necessary.

Artillery and assault helicopters fired at targets off the west coast city of Taichung, while French-made Mirage fighter jets took off amid rainy conditions from the air base at Hsinchu to the north.

The drills are Taiwan's first since President Xi Jinping on January 2 reasserted Beijing's willingness to use military force to bring Taiwan under mainland control.

The drills also follow a new Pentagon report laying out US concerns about China's growing military might, underscoring worries about a possible attack against Taiwan.

Taiwan's independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen has made national defence a priority while refusing Beijing's demand that she recognise Taiwan as being part of China. That's led to Beijing ratcheting up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the island of 23 million.

In a meeting with US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson in Beijing on Tuesday, China's Chief of Staff Li Zuocheng issued a warning against foreign forces coming to Taiwan's assistance. The US is Taiwan's chief source of military hardware and is legally bound to respond to threats against its security.

China's military will "pay any price" to ensure China's sovereignty, Li told Richardson at their meeting. (AP)