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China launches two days of live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait
The exercises near Fujian's Dongshan Island come a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed Taiwan and other key issues.
China launches two days of live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait
FILE: A Navy miniature is seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration. /Reuters

China began two days of live-fire drills from Thursday in some parts of the Taiwan Strait near the shores of its southeastern province of Fujian.

The news comes a day after talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on a range of issues, including Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

The drills will run from 6.00 am to 6 pm (2200 GMT to 1000 GMT) each day around Dongshan Island, bordering the province of Guangdong, maritime authorities said in a notice.

China held its most extensive war games encircling Taiwan in December, after the United States unveiled a record $11.1 billion arms package for the self-governing island, whose government rejects China's sovereignty claim.

During 10 hours of live-fire exercises at the time, China's Eastern Theatre Command launched rockets into waters north and south of Taiwan.

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SOURCE:Reuters