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Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Taiwan Readies Soldiers, Civilians for Largest China Invasion Drills
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Taiwan began preparations this week for its annual Han Kuang military exercise in response to what its government describes as escalating military pressure from China. The war games—scheduled to last 10 days and nine nights from July 9—are to be the largest ever across Taiwan proper and its outlying islands, officials said. More than 22,000 reservists are due to be mobilized and the exercise is scheduled to run concurrently with island-wide civil defense drills. Why It Matters The Han Kuang exercise will be held against the backdrop of an increased risk of conflict across the Taiwan Strait, a flash point that could drag the United States and China into a major war over Taiwan's future. China claims Taiwan as its own despite Taipei's objections. The United States does not recognize Taiwan's statehood but has political and economic stakes in a peaceful resolution to the decades-long dispute, and is obliged by U.S. law to help Taipei arm itself against a possible attack. The scale and scope of this year's drills reflect the island's growing apprehension, but also its desire to apply lessons learned from recent conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, for example, about asymmetric weapons systems and territorial defense. A Land Sword II ground-to-air missile is launched during a test-fire drill in Taiwan's southern Pingtung county on May 13, 2025. A Land Sword II ground-to-air missile is launched during a test-fire drill in Taiwan's southern Pingtung county on May 13, 2025. Chiang Ying-ying/AP What To Know Taiwan's Defense Ministry is calling up an additional 7,000 reservists to join this year's Han Kuang exercise, said Taipei defense chief Wellington Koo. One of the objectives is to assess how long it would take to ensure reservists are combat ready in wartime, Koo said. Taiwan's armed forces have an active-duty strength of just over 150,000, compared with China's standing army of over 2 million soldiers. This year, days of live-fire training across Taiwan's archipelagic territory will run twice as long as in previous annual drills, according to plans, covering so-called "gray zone" activity that falls short of conflict, anti-landing joint operations as well as a protracted defense of the island's vulnerable sites. The Taiwan army is expected to stage another test of its newly acquired HIMARS rocket launchers alongside indigenous anti-air, anti-ship and ground-attack missiles. For the first time, a convenience store chain will participate in parallel civil defense drills to distribute humanitarian supplies. Other urban training protocols include air-raid guidance and daytime evacuation rehearsals. The 41st Han Kuang exercise will take place amid heightened political animosity across the strait. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has given four of 10 planned speeches through which he hopes to gird Taiwanese society for mounting Chinese pressure to yield to Beijing's demands. The Chinese government's Taiwan Affairs Office responded this week by calling Lai a "troublemaker" who was "stirring up confrontation across the Taiwan Strait." What People Are Saying Ely Ratner, former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs and now a principal at the Marathon Initiative think tank, told Taiwan's Central News Agency: "Taiwan is on the right track to contribute to deterrence and should continue apace with heightened urgency and resources." Chen Binhua, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, said in an press release: "The two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same China…We hope that the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots will resolutely oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatist acts and jointly maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for the sake of national righteousness and their own well-being." What Happens Next The 41st annual Han Kuang exercise is scheduled from July 9-18. In late July and August, around a quarter of Taiwan's sitting lawmakers—including half of those representing Taiwan's main opposite Kuomintang party—face recall votes, in an unprecedented campaign that could shake up the island's political landscape for years before the next general election in January 2028.
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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Taiwan sees 15 sorties of Chinese aircraft, eight vessels in its territory
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has said that it detected 15 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, eight People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and one official ship operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. According to Taiwan's MND, 15 out of the 15 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). "15 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 15 out of 15 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the MND stated on X. This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by China around Taiwan, sparking concerns over regional stability. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. Earlier on Tuesday, the MND had detected six PLA aircraft, eight PLAN vessels and three official ships operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time). According to the MND, six sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. In response to Chinese action, Taiwan's armed forces deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation. "6 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 6 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the MND stated on X. Earlier, Taiwan conducted a series of test firings of several Land Sword II and HIMARS systems to bolster air defence preparedness. As per the MND, Land Sword II possesses the capability of countering varied aerial threats, thereby significantly enhancing the protection of the force. "Land Sword II makes its live fire debut. This SAM system is capable of countering diverse aerial threats and significantly enhances force protection for #ROCArmy," MND wrote in a post on X on May 13.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Taiwan detects 15 sorties of Chinese aircraft, eight naval vessels in its territory
Representative Image (ANI) TAIPEI: Taiwan's ministry of national defence (MND) has said that it detected 15 people's liberation army (PLA) aircraft, eight people's liberation army navy (PLAN) vessels and one official ship operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. According to Taiwan's MND, 15 out of the 15 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). "15 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 15 out of 15 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the MND stated on X. This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by China around Taiwan, sparking concerns over regional stability. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. Earlier on Tuesday, the MND had detected six PLA aircraft, eight PLAN vessels and three official ships operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo According to the MND, six sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. In response to Chinese action, Taiwan's armed forces deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation. "6 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 6 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the MND stated on X. Earlier, Taiwan conducted a series of test firings of several Land Sword II and HIMARS systems to bolster air defence preparedness. As per the MND, Land Sword II possesses the capability of countering varied aerial threats, thereby significantly enhancing the protection of the force. "Land Sword II makes its live fire debut. This SAM system is capable of countering diverse aerial threats and significantly enhances force protection for #ROCArmy," MND wrote in a post on X on May 13.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Taiwan MND detects 16 sorties of Chinese aircraft, six naval vessels in its territory
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Sunday detected 16 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and two official ships near its territory. Of the 16 aircraft, 13 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island's northern, southwestern, and eastern air defence identification zones (ADIZ). Sharing a post on X, MND wrote, "16 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." Earlier on Saturday, MND detected 16 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and two official ships around the island. 13 out of the 16 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the island's northern, southwestern, and eastern (ADIZ). Live Events "16 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," MND stated on X. Meanwhile, on Friday, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visited the Taiwanese Army Engineer Training Centre and the Navy Anti-Submarine Aviation Command in Kaohsiung and expressed gratitude to the service members for their steadfast dedication to guarding the frontlines day and night. Taiwan, to bolster air defence preparedness, conducted the live-fire debut of Land Sword II. As per the MND, Land Sword II can counter varied aerial threats, thereby significantly enhancing the force's protection. The visuals shared by the MND show the live firing of the Missile System could be seen, with videos showcasing its launch. "Land Sword II makes its live-fire debut. This SAM system is capable of countering diverse aerial threats and significantly enhances force protection for #ROCArmy," MND wrote on X on Tuesday.
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Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Taiwan bolsters air defence preparedness, test fires Land Sword II
In line with bolstering air defence preparedness, Taiwan conducted the live fire debut of Land Sword II, said the Ministry of National Defence on Tuesday. The details of the Surface-to-Air Missile System were provided in a post on X. As per the MND, Land Sword II possesses the capability of countering varied aerial threats, thereby significantly enhancing the protection of the force. In the visuals shared by the MND, the live-firing of the Missile System could be seen, with videos showcasing the its launch. "Land Sword II makes its live fire debut. This SAM system is capable of countering diverse aerial threats and significantly enhances force protection for #ROCArmy", MND wrote on X. This development follows after Taiwan had conducted its first live-firing of the American-supplied high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) at a base in Pingtung County on Monday, as reported by Focus Taiwan. According to Focus Taiwan, the drill was carried out by the Taiwan Army's 58th Artillery Command, which was held at the Jiupeng Base in Manjhou Township. It further noted that the HIMARS can be equipped with one pod containing six 227mm rockets or a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a range of up to 300 kilometres. In total, 33 rockets were fired, with 11 launch vehicles each firing three rounds. The military, however, did not provide any details on how the drills went, Focus Taiwan reported. Colonel Ho Chih-chung, the 58th Artillery's deputy commander, said the US supplier also sent its personnel to the site to assist with any technical issues during the live-fire exercise. As per Focus Taiwan, Taiwan has purchased 29 HIMARS from the United States, and the first shipment of 11 was delivered in 2024. According to a Ministry of National Defence report submitted to the Legislative Yuan in March, the second batch of 18 HIMARS is scheduled to be delivered next year instead of 2027 as was originally planned. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) also shared images of the HIMARS test-firing in a post on X. MND wrote on X, "#HIMARS debuts in #Taiwan, showcasing rapid deployment and next-generation strike capabilities." These developments become significant as China continues its activities in the Taiwan Strait. On Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected 35 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, eight People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and two official ships operating around Taiwan. The Taiwan-China issue is a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict centred on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates its own government, military, and economy, functioning as a de facto independent state. However, China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists on the "One China" policy, which asserts that there is only one China, with Beijing as its capital. Beijing has consistently expressed its goal of reunification with Taiwan, using diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
