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'China soon

to have third

round of

missile test'

TAIPEI: China is expected to launch soon a third round of missile exercises near Taiwan, keeping up the psychological pressure on the island it regards as a renegade province, informed sources at the defense ministry said here Saturday.

Neither the ministry nor other government authorities made any officials comment on Beijing's announcement Friday that its 11-day drill involving guided missiles and heavy artillery off Taiwan's northern coast had ended. It was the second series in recent weeks.

The informed sources said Taiwan's armed forces would be on high alert as Beijing was soon expected to announce a third round of missile tests to keep up pressure on the island's population.

Other sources said the new round might be held in September.-AFP