TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan reported Tuesday that China conducted a long-range live-fire exercise with rockets near its northern waters, prompting the military to monitor the situation and reaffirm its commitment to national security and regional stability.

The Ministry of National Defense said that starting 9 a.m. a Chinese long-range rocket and artillery unit in Fujian Province conducted a live-fire exercise targeting a designated zone north of Taiwan. Impact areas were scattered near Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile (44 km) restricted zone.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said the Chinese military’s provocative actions undermine regional peace and pose significant hazards to shipping, trade, and flight routes. He added that Taiwan’s military will respond in line with the president’s guidance to “not escalate conflicts or provoke disputes.”

During the Justice Mission 2025 exercise, Koo and senior officials were stationed at the Joint Operations Command Center to maintain situational awareness. He praised the swift and orderly response measures implemented by all levels of the military.

Koo said that since Monday, the Chinese Eastern Theater Command has mobilized ground, naval, air, and rocket forces to conduct exercises covering the surrounding sea and airspace. These actions, which disregard international norms, aim to conduct cognitive warfare, degrade Taiwan’s combat capabilities, and sow division within society.

The Coast Guard said the seven rockets landed in the No. 1 and No. 2 restricted navigation zones, which are to the north and northwest of Taiwan. The agency said that all personnel and vessels at sea remained safe with no incidents reported.

Taiwan defines its 24-nautical-mile sea territory as the contiguous zone adjacent to its 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, measured from coastal baselines. This zone allows Taiwan’s Navy and Coast Guard to enforce laws, pursue suspects, and conduct inspections for violations like smuggling or immigration issues.