Report: Taiwan test-fired missiles capable of hitting China

Oct 14, 2009, 13:22 GMT

   Taipei - Taiwan has test-fired three types of missiles capable of hitting major cities in China, local media reported Wednesday.

   The test was conducted at the Chiupeng missile base in the southern coastal county of Pingtung on Tuesday with President Ma Ying-jeou observing the exercise, the reports said.

   It came after China showcased its military might by parading advanced arms, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, during its National Day celebrations on October 1.

   Quoting an unnamed source, the Liberty Times said the missiles included the Hsiungfeng 2E surface-to-surface cruise missile, which has a range of 600 kilometres and is capable of striking Shanghai.

   The two other types included Hsiungfeng 3 supersonic anti-ship missiles and Skybow 3 surface-to-air missiles, the newspaper said.

   The military issued sea and air navigation bans to areas extending as far as the Taiwan-held Green Island and Orchid Island and as high as 25,000 kilometres in altitude, the paper said.

   The United Daily News, also quoting an unnamed military source, said the drill included the test-firing of a top secret, newly developed medium-range surface-to-surface missile with a range of 3,000 kilometres, capable of striking major cities in central, northern and southern China.

   Taiwan's Defence Ministry declined to comment on the reports.

   Taiwan and China have been political rivals since they split at the end of a civil war in 1949. Relations between the two sides, however, have improved in the past year after Ma Ying-jeou of China-friendly Nationalist Party became president.