Taiwan conducts drills to combat invasion amid tensions in China

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (Reuters) – Taiwan’s air, sea and land forces conducted live-fire exercises simulating the repulsion of an invading force on Thursday, and President Tsai Ing-wen said he showed his determination to defend the democratic and reclaimed island. by the Chinese.

F-16s and domestically-made Ching-kuo fighter jets launched attacks, and tanks ran through thickets inland, firing projectiles to destroy targets on the beach. Around 8,000 people participated in drills, held on a coastal strip near Taichung in central Taiwan.

The drills, called “Han Kuang”, are Taiwan’s main annual exercises. This year comes as China stepped up its military activity around the island, including flying fighters and bombers near what Beijing calls its “sacred territory.”

“The Han Kuang exercises are an important annual event for the armed forces, which assess the development of combat skills. Furthermore, it allows the world to see our determination and efforts to defend the country’s territory, ”Tsai told the troops.

Tsai, who won reelection for a landslide in January, vowing to face China, has made military modernization a priority. Taiwan released its largest increase in defense spending in more than a decade last year.

“As I said, national security does not depend on bowing and scratching, but on strong national defense. All of our officers and soldiers are at the core of that, “he added.

Although the Taiwan Army is well trained and well equipped with hardware made primarily in the US, China has vast numerical superiority and is adding advanced equipment such as stealth fighters and new ballistic missiles.

China views Taiwan as part of “one China” and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan is one of a growing number of critical points in the relationship between the United States and China. Beijing routinely denounces Washington’s support for the island.

China has increased pressure on Taiwan, saying Tsai is pushing for the island’s formal independence, a red line for Beijing. She says that Taiwan is already an independent state called the Republic of China, its official name.