Taiwan Preparing for Conflict? Could use American missiles

The exercises were held at the Jiupeng military base in southern Taiwan. Among the missiles launched were Taiwan's Sky Bow III anti-ballistic missiles, with American Patriot PAC II and Standard surface-to-air missiles.

China considers Taiwan its territory and has stepped up its military threats over the past few years.

Beijing does not particularly like Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching Te, who took office earlier this year and whom Beijing has called a separatist.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense announced today that all the missiles hit their intended targets, which shows that the training of the Taiwanese military is "strict and strong".

Official Beijing did not immediately react to Taiwan's exercise. China frequently sends military aircraft and ships near the islands using what critics call scare tactics.

Taiwan's defense ministry said early Thursday that it had spotted five Chinese military aircraft and 11 ships near its coast in the past 24 hours. One plane crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the unofficial demarcation zone between the two sides.

Taiwan bought high-tech weapons from the United States, revitalized its arms industry, and extended mandatory military service from four months to a year.

The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with defense assets and considers any threat to the island a matter of great concern.