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On Wednesday, tanks slammed into targets and fighter jets whizzed overhead. TaiwanThe country’s military conducts its latest combat drills after weeks of lashing out from neighbouring China.
China, which claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own, has been holding drills in Taiwan since last month when U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei last month.
Taiwan, which rejects China’s sovereignty claims, has repeatedly stressed that it has responded calmly to Beijing’s activities, but also has the determination and ability to defend itself if necessary.
A Taiwanese Apache helicopter fires a rocket during a military exercise in Hengchun, Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. (Associated Press)
“Ground combat readiness training is a basic duty of the armed forces, and it is something we have to do every day, every moment,” Defense Ministry spokesman Sun Lifang told reporters during a government-organized visit to Pingtung, the southernmost point of Taiwan. Watch the drill.
He added: “With regard to the defense operations of Taiwan and its outlying islands, we conduct exercises with an attitude of adapting to local conditions and fighting anywhere, so as to fulfill our duty to strengthen combat readiness.”
A Taiwanese tank fires at a target during a military exercise in Hengchun, Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. (Associated Press)
Taiwan’s military is well-equipped, but pales in comparison to China’s. President Tsai Ing-wen has been overseeing the modernization program and has made increasing defense spending a priority.
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