Taiwan sends airstrike warning to mobile phones across the island after China launched a satellite over its airspace amid rising tensions between Taipei and Beijing

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Taiwan's Defense Ministry today sent an airstrike alert to mobile phones across the island after China launched a satellite over its airspace amid rising tensions between Tapei and Beijing.

The presidential alert was sent to residents' cellphones, warning of a missile overflight and to “beware of your safety.”

The airstrike alert came just minutes after China said it had successfully launched an Einstein Probe satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan province.

Tuesday's warning comes just days before Taiwan's presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday, which China has described as a choice between war and peace.

China views Taiwan, located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) off China's east coast, as a renegade province that should be brought under its control.

This is a breaking news story, more to come…

A phone and watch that received an air raid alert are placed together for a photo in New Taipei City, Taiwan on Tuesday

A phone and watch that received an air raid alert are placed together for a photo in New Taipei City, Taiwan on Tuesday