TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China announced it will conduct live-fire drills around Niushan Island on Tuesday (Oct. 22). 

On Monday, the Pingtan Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation warning saying drills will be carried out in parts of Niushan Island coastal areas, per UDN. Vessels are barred from entering the designated area from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Niushan Island is located off the coast of Fujian Province under the jurisdiction of Pingtan County, Fuzhou City. It is the closest point in China to Taiwan, about 165 km from Taipei. 

A prominent landmark on the island is the Niushan Island Lighthouse, an important navigation aid for ships in the Taiwan Strait.

Following President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) National Day speech on Oct. 10, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced the Joint Sword-2024B drills around Taiwan on Oct. 14. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) then visited Zhangzhou and Xiamen in Fujian Province from Oct. 15-16, with his itinerary including Dongshan County, a base regularly used for PLA exercises opposite Taiwan, per SCMP.