What did Taiwan practice on Wednesday?

The Navy and Coast Guard jointly simulated breaking a naval blockade for the first time, escorting and protecting a commercial vessel.

Why is Taiwan conducting these exercises?

Taiwan is concerned that China, which considers the island its own territory, might impose a naval blockade to force it into submission.

What did soldiers set up in Taipei?

Late Wednesday, they erected metal barricades, barbed wire, and concrete barriers on a road leading to a key bridge that could be a target of an attack.

Who visited the underground parking lot in New Taipei City?

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te toured the parking lot converted into an emergency department, accompanied by foreign diplomats including the de facto ambassadors of the United States, Israel, and Canada.

World

Taiwan Navy and Coast Guard Hold First Joint Blockade-Breaking Exercise

S.V. · Prije 9h | 2 min

The Navy and Coast Guard simulated breaking a naval blockade for the first time, while the military erected barriers on key roads in the capital.

Summary

Taiwan's Navy and Coast Guard jointly practiced breaking a Chinese naval blockade for the first time.
The exercise took place on Wednesday, with a commercial vessel escorted to ports on Taiwan's eastern coast.
Soldiers in Taipei set up metal barricades, barbed wire, and concrete barriers on a road leading to a key bridge.
The ten-day Han Kuang exercises began last week, and China has been conducting patrols near the eastern coast since June.

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Taiwan's armed forces conducted their first joint Navy and Coast Guard exercise focused on countering a potential Chinese blockade of the island, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced on Thursday. The exercise took place on Wednesday, during which a commercial vessel was escorted and protected, while a minesweeper ensured a safe passage to ports on the eastern coast.

Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, has long been concerned that Beijing might attempt to impose a blockade to force the island into submission. In June, China began patrols along Taiwan's eastern coast, angering Taipei and raising concerns in Washington and some Western capitals.

First Joint Blockade-Breaking Exercise

Taiwan's Coast Guard, which assists the Navy in times of war, confirmed that this was the first instance of cooperation with the Navy in a blockade-breaking exercise. The Ministry of National Defense stated that realistic scenarios were employed to improve coordination among various branches and maritime defense.

Last week, the ten-day Han Kuang military exercises began, aimed at preparing for various contingencies if China were to attempt to take the island by force. Taiwan's democratically elected government does not accept China's sovereignty claims over the island.

President Visits Emergency Department, Soldiers Set Up Barricades

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te visited an underground parking lot in New Taipei City on Thursday that had been converted into an emergency department. He was accompanied by foreign diplomats accredited to Taiwan, including the de facto ambassadors of the United States, Israel, and Canada. Taiwan hopes to gain insights from Israel's own civil defense operations, as reported by Reuters.

Late Wednesday evening, during a separate part of the exercise, soldiers set up metal barriers, barbed wire, and concrete blocks on a road leading to a key bridge in Taipei. The bridge is expected to be a target in the event of any Chinese attack on the capital.

Photos from the exercises were taken by photographer Ann Wang.