China launched 11 Dongfeng ballistic missiles today in waters off the northern, southern and eastern coasts of Taiwan, Taiwan's defense ministry said.

According to Sky News, Telegrafi reports, the launch came in several waves, starting just before 14:00 local time and lasting about two hours.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said the acts threatened the island's national security and escalated tensions in the region.

This country has also called on the international community to condemn the Chinese military threat and for countries to protect freedom and democracy.

Meanwhile, videos have been posted on Chinese social media showing a missile launch towards the Taiwan Strait.

Videos now surfacing on #China's social media of alleged artillery & missile launches towards the #Taiwan strait #ChinaTaiwanCrisis pic.twitter.com/CWF7dA96vJ

— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) August 4, 2022

They were shared on Weibo without specifying an exact location, but some users said they were filmed on Pingtan Island.

Video of PLA long range rockets firing from Fujian Pingtan into the Taiwan strait.

I note this is on the Taiwan side of the median line.

pic.twitter.com/TldLcn81oR

— Bonaaannn (@BN9195) August 4, 2022

One of them was filmed from a beach and shows the rockets being launched.

Related to recent developments there, Dmitri Alperovitch, an expert in geopolitics and national security, has responded to the news that China has expanded its plans for military exercises.

First it was an announced effective blockade of Taiwan for 4 days and 6 fire exercise zones.

Now it's 5 days and 7 zones

If China gets away with this, next time it will last weeks.

Then months or until they get concessions or invade

This is how it begins… https://t.co/ko31Qirkyu

— Dmitri Alperovitch (@DAlperovitch) August 4, 2022

He even goes so far as to suggest that the move shows Beijing is preparing the ground for further exercises – with a view to a potential invasion of Taiwan.

"This is how it begins...", he wrote at the end.

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