AFP, TAIPEI – A Chinese ship was spotted apparently watching a Taiwanese military training exercise taking place yesterday on a fortified island off the mainland, according to a media report.
The Eastern TV cable news network showed live footage of about 20 howitzers shooting at mock targets during the artillery exercise on Kinmen, an island just kilometres from China's south-eastern Xiamen city.
The broadcast showed a Chinese ship staying near Kinmen until the end of the drill.
Taiwan army officials would not comment on the report which accused the Chinese vessel of 'spying' on the artillery exercise.
The military authorities said the exercise was 'routine' and it was neither a show of strength nor part of a string of wargames due to end on Aug 25.
Also yesterday, Taiwan's army showed off its fleet of M60-A3 tanks to reporters during a publicity tour of an army base at Houli, central Taiwan.
In the past few weeks, Taiwan's armed forces have conducted a series of manoeuvres aimed at deterring a Chinese invasion.
