CHINA yesterday tightened the screws on Taiwan, launching live ammunition exercises in the narrow strait between the two rivals and warning Washington of its determination to reunify the island with the mainland.
Last night Washington termed China's fourth firing of a missile into the area off Taiwan a "provocative act". The US was already strengthening its naval presence in the region.
Taiwan's senior generals flew to front line islands, and troops on leave there were recalled. The exercises, which followed Chinese missile tests begun off Taiwan last Friday, are due to last until just three days before Taiwan's first direct presidential election on March 23rd.
A small Taiwanese group, led by Mr Shih Ming teh, leader of the pro independence Democratic Progressive Party, yesterday sailed into one missile testing zone off north eastern Taiwan, burned a Chinese flag and returned.
Taiwan travel agents reported a doubling in the number of people wanting to leave.