Taipei, March 19 -- Switzerland has issued a warning to China, urging it to avoid escalating tensions after China conducted a live-fire exercise off Taiwan's southern coast last month, as reported by Taiwan News.

Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis issued a warning to Chinese authorities and the Chinese embassy in Switzerland following the military drills. According to Swiss foreign policy experts, this unusual action by Switzerland highlights the strategic significance of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan News reported.

The live-fire exercises, announced without prior notice by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in February, took place off Taiwan's southern coast near Kaohsiung and Pingtung, as well as in the Tasman Sea off Australia...