FENGGANG TOWNSHIP, Taiwan: Taiwan’s military started a live-fire artillery drill Tuesday (Aug 9) simulating the defence of the island against an attack right after days of massive Chinese language military exercises, an AFP journalist at the site of the workout said.
Lou Woei-jye, speaker for Taiwan’s 8th Army Corps, confirmed that the drills experienced started in the southern county of Pingtung shortly after 0040 GMT (8. 40am Singapore time) with the shooting of target flares and artillery.
The drill can end at close to 0130 GMT, he added.
China launched its largest-ever war video games around Taiwan last week inside a furious response to a check out by House Loudspeaker Nancy Pelosi , the highest-ranking US official to visit the self-ruled island within decades.
Taiwan lives under the continuous threat of intrusion by China, which views its neighbour as part of Chinese area to be reclaimed 1 day, by force if required.
Taipei’s drills, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, includes the deployment of hundreds of troops approximately 40 howitzers, the army said.
Lou said Mon the drills had been already scheduled and were not being kept in response to China’s workouts.
The island routinely stages army drills simulating a Chinese invasion plus last month utilized repelling attacks through the sea in a “joint interception operation” included in its largest annual exercises.