TAIPEI — Taiwan's military executed live-fire drills on Friday in southern Pingtung county, deploying anti-air, anti-ship and anti-landing missiles alongside multiple types of attack drones in their first-time integration into such exercises.
The maneuvers occurred as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington next week. The two leaders are scheduled to meet Sept. 24, their first direct engagement since May, with Taiwan expected to be a primary topic of discussion.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said the drills demonstrated the modernization of Taiwan's army. "The coordinated use of unmanned vehicles with conventional weapons reflects the adaptation to modern warfare," he said in a statement from his office. The statement did not specify the exact types of drones tested during the exercises.
China asserts that Taiwan is its breakaway province and has refused to rule out force to bring it under Beijing's control. Chinese officials have pressed Trump to adopt a stronger position opposing Taiwan's independence.
Taiwan has historically relied on the United States for defense capabilities, purchasing arms to bolster its forces. U.S. law mandates that Washington provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself against potential aggression.
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been central to previous discussions between Trump and Xi. After their May summit, Trump postponed a planned $14 billion arms package designated for Taiwan, characterizing such sales as a "very good negotiating chip" with China. The decision raised questions about the depth of U.S. commitment to Taiwan's security.
In recent years, Taiwan has increased military expenditure to enhance its defensive posture. The island's army plans to continue conducting drills into next week, incorporating newly acquired U.S.-made HIMARS rocket systems and Stinger missile simulators.
