Taiwan today test-fired its US-made Patriot missiles for the first time, with military officials declaring the exercise a success.
All three Patriots launched from a military base in the southern county of Pingtung hit their targets - a missile and an aircraft - an official said. Two of the Patriots were used to shoot down the missile.
"We are pleased with the result," said the official.
Neighboring China is holding war manoeuvres on a nearby island. Taiwan military officials insist there is no connection between the two exercises, but the military activity underlines deep tensions.
"The test-firing of Patriot missiles is part of the armed forces' annual routine training programs. It is a major test of our air defense capability," officials said.
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has vowed to attack if the island declares independence or delays indefinitely on unification talks.
Over Beijing's objections, Washington agreed in 1993 to sell Taiwan the Patriot Advanced Capability, or PAC-2, anti-missile system. Taiwan began taking delivery in 1996 and has deployed three batteries of Patriots - 200 missiles in all - in the northern part of the island.
PAC-2 is a major upgrade of the Gulf War version of the system and has been fielded by the US army.