Taiwan to conduct LIVE-FIRE drills in response to China threat as WW3 fears SURGE
TAIWAN’s yearly live-fire drills will focus on repelling a simulated invasion from China as the two nations square up amid rocketing tensions.
The yearly drills, codenamed "Han Kuang" or "Han Glory”, will take place on June 4.
Taiwan seems to be ramping up their drills this year with the first inclusion of its coast guard and National Airborne Service Corps.
It comes after China conducted its own live-fire drills on April 18.
Taipei's Mainland Affairs Council posted on their website following China’s drill: "Taiwan's people are very clear about this and will not accept it.
"We are determined in our defence of our nation's sovereignty and dignity and will absolutely not yield to military threats or inducements."
China’s People’s Liberation Army regularly holds naval drills but the recent military activity appear to be aimed at Taiwan.
The communist state considers Taiwan to be a “wayward territory” and has never ruled out using military force to bring it under control.
Anti-Secession law allows China to use force on Taiwan if deemed necessary to prevent the island from gaining independence.
Beijing regularly calls Taiwan the most sensitive and important issue between it and the United States.
China’s People’s Liberation Army regularly holds naval drills but the recent military activity appear to be aimed at Taiwan.
The communist state considers Taiwan to be a “wayward territory” and has never ruled out using military force to bring it under control.
Anti-Secession law allows China to use force on Taiwan if deemed necessary to prevent the island from gaining independence.
Beijing regularly calls Taiwan the most sensitive and important issue between it and the United States.
Although the United States has no formal ties with Taiwan it is bound by law to help the nation defend itself and is its main source of arms.
Taiwan’s government is even asking its citizens to participate in the drill by asking them to fly drones to conduct surveillance and mark targets.
Defence Ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi said: "It's not just soldiers' duties to protect the country.
“Everyone has the responsibility since our defence budget is limited.
"It simulates this year's situation and we are taking into consideration China's air and naval movements in the region.
"Simply put, the main goal of the drill is to make any Chinese communist military mission to invade Taiwan fail."
Tensions between China and the island nation have worsened since the new administration in 2016 failed to affirm the 1992 consensus that Taiwan technically agrees to the One China policy.
But Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has been a longtime critic of the 1992 consensus.
Taiwan is well armed, mostly with US weaponry, but has been pressing Washington to sell it more high-tech equipment to better deter China.
Tsai says she wants to maintain peace with China but will defend Taiwan's security.