‘Missile alert’: Taiwan holds air-raid exercise amid China tension – Times of India

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has restarted debate in Taiwan about how best to respond in the event of an attack amid Chinese military maneuvers around the island.

Taipei: Roads were cleared in parts of Taiwan, including the capital Taipei, on Monday and people ordered to stay indoors for air strike exercises as China stepped up preparations on the island in the event of an attack.
Sirens were sounded at 1:30 p.m. (0530 GMT) for a mandatory road clearance exercise, which effectively shut down towns and cities in northern Taiwan for 30 minutes.
A “missile alert”, asking people to evacuate to safety immediately, was sent via text message.
“Preparation in the event of war is essential,” Wen-jae said in a speech to the mayor of Taipei after overseeing the exercise for the exercise called Wan En, which means Everlasting Peace.
China claims to rule Taiwan democratically and has never ruled out annexation of the island by force. Taiwan rejects China’s claim to sovereignty and vows to defend itself.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has restarted debate in Taiwan about how best to respond in the event of an attack amid Chinese military maneuvers around the island.
“Chinese military aircraft have frequently harassed Taiwan in recent years and even as the Russo-Ukraine War broke out in February, these incidents remind us that we need to be vigilant in times of peace. needed,” Ko said.
In Taipei, police instructed vehicles to move to the side of the road and passersby were told to take shelter. Shops and restaurants closed their shutters and switched off the lights to avoid being targets in case of an attack during the night.
Firefighters practice extinguishing the fire caused by the missile attack.
The siren was sounded after 30 minutes to clarify everything.
Concerns about China’s intentions toward Taiwan have heightened tensions with the United States, which, while it does not recognize the island as a separate country, is obliged by US law to provide it with a means of its defense. Is.
China has issued a dire personal warning to the Biden administration, suggesting the possibility of a military response to a possible visit by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in August, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.
Periodic air-raid exercises are required by law in Taiwan.
The island has raised its alert level since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, even though it has not reported any unusual Chinese military activity.
Road clearing exercises will be held in other parts of Taiwan this week. The exercise was canceled for the last two years due to Kovid-19.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen Promoting defense capability is its top priority and has said that only its people can decide their future.
“When everyone receives a text message, don’t panic,” Tsai said in a reminder to the public on Facebook in the early hours of Monday. “Citizens, please evacuate as directed.”