Taiwan's troops carried out a simulation attack by China on Tuesday as the relationship between the two nations continues to degrade.
Troops gathered in central Taiwan for the annual simulation, putting their military skills to the test while utilizing tanks, helicopters, and artillery, Agence France-Presse reported.
“The military has active measures to deal with the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea so the public can rest assured. We will enhance training 365 days a year,” defense spokesman Chen Chung-chi said, according to AFP.
China has also conducted drills of its own in recent weeks.
Tuesday’s drill simulated a China attack where “its war vessels have crossed over the middle line of the Taiwan Strait," AFP noted.
The drill comes just weeks after a Chinese military aircraft was seen passing through Taiwan on two separate occasions in December.
Taiwan’s air forces have also upgraded their fighter jets.
“Taiwan is the first country in the world to upgrade the F-16 A/B fighters to F-16 V. We are enhancing our aerial capabilities to ensure national security,” said an air force official, according to AFP.
Tuesday’s simulation comes two days after China’s foreign ministry rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion for negotiations between Taiwan and China, according to Time.
The U.S. has had unofficial ties with Taiwan since recognizing Beijing back in 1979, but that’s something Trump says he wants to change when he’s sworn into office as the American people’s 45th president in a ceremony scheduled for January 20.
However, China ministry spokesman Lu Kang has been on record as saying the “one China” policy, which Trump said could start negotiations between Taiwan and China, is “non-negotiable.”
“The government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing China,” Lu said, according to Time. “That is the fact acknowledged by the international community and no one can change.”