Taiwan’s annual war games, which commence next month, will be as realistic as possible, as the threat of a Chinese invasion of the island grows.
A senior Taiwanese official told Reuters that “in recent years, the enemy threat has changed rapidly,” which he said meant urgent changes to military training and preparedness are needed.
“Our defence combat plan must also be continuously revised on a rolling basis, and the urgency of comprehensive combat training is becoming more and more important.”
“Showy” elements of the annual war games, such as rehearsal drills, have been scrapped, and there will be nighttime drills and exercises within the capital Taipei, which doesn’t normally happen.
“It’s not about scoring points,” the official continued.
“We want the soldiers to wonder whether this is for real.”
The drills will also practise establishing “kill zones” at sea to smash a naval blockade in the event that China turns one of its naval drills off the coast of the island into an actual invasion.
China has been carrying our regular exercises in the seas off Taiwan for the last four years. China staged a two-day event last month after the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president Lai Ching-te. Beijing said the event was “punishment” for his inauguration speech which contained large amounts of “separatist” content.
China continues to consider Taiwan a separatist region and not a sovereign state.
Taiwan’s war games begin on July 22.
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