China has equipped its frontline troops facing Taiwan with new missiles believed to be comparable to US Patriot systems. The deployment was showcased during live-fire assessments in the Gobi Desert.

Mainland China has equipped frontline troops facing Taiwan with a new missile, state media reported. The missile is believed to be an HQ-16F, which has comparable qualities to the US Patriot PAC2 and 3 systems. On Friday, state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of the 73rd Group Army’s first operational and live-fire assessment of the missile in the Gobi Desert. The unit, which forms part of the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command, had travelled thousands of kilometres from its base in...