Taiwan: Army trains for possible invasion by China

In Taoyuan, northern Taiwan, armored vehicles and military communications units could be seen on a highway during morning rush hour. On Sunday, the Defense Ministry of the country of 23.5 million inhabitants announced that the exercise was part of the annual training program. The troops therefore train in realistic scenarios to strengthen leadership, coordination, logistics, operational readiness and defense capabilities.

China is exerting pressure

The exercise follows a large-scale firing exercise on June 10 in which the army fired anti-missile and anti-tank missiles along the western coast facing China in Taichung, central Taiwan. The tensions in the region stem from the fact that Beijing sees Taiwan as part of Chinese territory and wants to bind the island to itself – if necessary with an invasion.

Chinese fighter planes and naval ships appear around Taiwan almost every day. Earlier today (local time), Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it had counted 23 military aircraft around Taiwan in the past 24 hours. Seven navy ships and five government ships were also in action nearby. With this approach, China is putting pressure on Taiwan, but does not cross the line into open conflict, which is why there is talk of “gray zone” activities.

USA put arms contract on hold

Last week, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed hope that the United States could agree to a $14 billion arms supply deal “as soon as possible.” “Taiwan’s efforts to protect its national security” should not be understood as a “provocation against China,” Lai said.

However, the USA put an arms contract with Taiwan on hold in May in order to have enough ammunition for the war in Iran.