Taiwan to test-fire Patriot missile next month

TAIPEI (AFX-ASIA) - Defense Minister Wu Shi-wen said Saturday that Patriot anti-missile weaponry would be test-fired next month in the first such exercise conducted outside the U.S.

	    Wu said "test-firing Patriot missile is part of the routine military training programs."

	    "It should not be influenced by some other factors," he said.

	    "The U.S. has given the approval." Wu added.

	     "It would be the first time (such test-firing) is to be done outside the U.S. soil," he noted.

	    Wu said China's military strength posed an increasing threat to Taiwan.

	    "Their upscale wargames and testing of ballistic missiles last year suggested they posed rising threat to Taiwan," he said.

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