China launched ballistic missiles into waters off Taiwan in 1995 and 1996 in an attempt to deter voters in the island’s first democratic presidential elections. Relations between China and Taiwan have cooled rapidly under the island’s new Beijing-sceptic president Tsai Ing-wen, who took office in May, ending an eight-year rapprochement. Photo: AFPTaipei: Taiwan plans to test-fire its newest anti-missile system for the first time in the US next month as relations with rival China deteriorate, a defence official and media reports said on Monday. According to the official, the test will be conducted in the US to avoid China collecting information about it, and due to space restrictions in Taiwan. The missile system was purchased in 2008, well before Tsai’s leadership, and the test was approved by the US last year, according to the Liberty Times.

Source: Mint June 27, 2016 11:15 UTC