TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Saturday (July 13) it had been closely monitoring several Chinese missile test firings since early morning.

The launches started at 4 a.m. Saturday in what the MND described as the “Mongolian area,” meaning China’s Inner Mongolia region. The MND said it used intelligence and surveillance methods to observe the launches, while air defense units maintained their vigilance.

The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force conducted the tests, per CNA. The unit is the fourth branch of China’s armed forces and controls nuclear and conventional missiles under the direct command of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Military Commission.

There was no word on whether Saturday’s tests were related to Taiwan. The MND has scheduled the 40th annual edition of its Han Kuang war games for July 22-26.