TAIPEI: "Multiple" ballistic missiles were fired into waters around Taiwan by the Chinese forces during military exercises on Thursday, Taipei's defence ministry said, condemning what it called "irrational actions that undermine regional peace."
The Defence Ministry in a brief statement said, "The Ministry of National Defence stated that the Chinese Communist Party fired multiple Dongfeng series ballistic missiles into the surrounding waters of northeastern and southwestern Taiwan from approximately 13:56 this afternoon".
Taiwan's military has not confirmed where the missiles landed or if they flew over the island, AFP reported.
Confirmation was also given by China's People's Liberation Army of firing the missiles.
Chinese forces launched "a multi-regional and multi-model conventional missile firepower assault on predetermined waters off the eastern part of Taiwan Island", said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command.
"All the missiles hit the target accurately, testing the strike precision and area denial capabilities," Colonel Shi added.